FDA grants 'no questions' letter to Believer Meats for their cultivated meat, concluding construction of North Carolina facility
Believer Meats, a leading player in the cultivated meat industry, has taken a significant step forward in its mission to bring sustainable and resilient food solutions to the market. The company has received the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) "no questions" letter, confirming the agency's acceptance of Believer Meats' safety conclusion for its cultivated meat products [1][2].
This milestone comes alongside the completion of construction of Believer Meats' large-scale 200,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Wilson County, North Carolina [2]. Although the FDA's approval signifies that the product is considered safe for human consumption, Believer Meats still requires a grant of inspection from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and label approval before it can commence commercial sales in the US market [2].
The FDA's endorsement and the establishment of production capacity mark a significant leap towards US market access for Believer Meats. The company positions its North Carolina facility as the first and only large-scale cultivated meat production site in the world, although this claim has been challenged by some competitors in the sector [1][2].
Believer Meats' technology enables higher-density cell cultures and more efficient use of media than its rivals in the cultivated meat space [1][2]. The company's tech costs $0.63/liter for media, supporting the long-term, high-density culture of chicken cells, according to a peer-reviewed paper [1]. Another startup, Clever Carnivore, aims to achieve media costs of $0.07/liter for cultivated meat production [1].
Despite the progress made, Believer Meats (formerly Future Meat Technologies) remains tight-lipped about the FDA's decision, with no official statement released as of yet [2]. The FDA's 'no questions' letter and accompanying scientific memo have not yet been posted on their website.
Other cultivated meat startups, such as Good Meat (Eat Just), UPSIDE Foods, Mission Barns, and Wildtype, have also secured the FDA green light in the US [1]. Meanwhile, Meatable plans to start construction of a pilot-scale cultivated meat facility in Singapore later this year [1].
The future of cultivated meat is promising, with a techno-economic analysis for a theoretical production facility of 50,000-L scale showing that the cost of cultivated chicken can drop to within the range of organic chicken at $6.20/lb by using perfusion technology [1]. Reports suggest that the death of cultivated meat has been greatly exaggerated, and startups like Vow predict it will soon be 'unit margin positive' [1]. However, according to the Good Food Institute, there are no silver bullets to fill funding gaps in cultivated meat [1].
As Believer Meats moves closer to bringing cultivated meat from "promise to product," it continues to focus on advancing product execution and building a resilient, sustainable food system [1][2]. The company operates in Israel, Chicago, North Carolina, and Dubai. With the US market within reach, the stage is set for Believer Meats to make a significant impact in the cultivated meat industry.
[1] Source: Various news reports and peer-reviewed papers. [2] Source: Believer Meats' official statement and company press releases.
- Believer Meats' receipt of the FDA's "no questions" letter and the completion of its 200,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in North Carolina mark a significant advancement in their business strategy, as they aim to provide sustainable food solutions and make a substantial impact in the cultivated meat industry.
- As Believer Meats edges closer to commercial sales in the US market, the growing focus on technology in the food-and-drink sector and the need for resilient and sustainable food systems will likely influence lifestyle choices and finance investments in the business sector, including the business of cultivated meat.
