Switzerland to sell Lab-Grown Meat? The First Application Submitted.

Aleph Farms, an Israeli biotech company, has taken a groundbreaking step by submitting an application to Swiss food regulators, seeking approval to sell its cultivated meat products in local supermarkets. This marks the first-ever attempt to introduce “lab-grown” meat, also known as cultured or cultivated meat, in Europe.

The company, known for its innovative approach to food production, aims to sell the “world’s first cultivated beef steaks under the Aleph Cuts brand.” Aleph Farms confirmed the application submission to the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office in Bern, with the strong backing of the food giant Migros, which has been supporting Aleph Farms since 2019.

Cultured meat is created by cultivating animal cells in a bioreactor, allowing them to multiply and form chicken, beef, or pork slices. The process offers promising possibilities to replace conventional meat in the future, as it addresses sustainability concerns. Presently, 80 percent of the world’s agricultural land is used for livestock cultivation, while meat products contribute only 11 percent of global caloric intake.

Migros has shown great enthusiasm for lab-grown meat, previously announcing plans to sell it “on a large scale” in October 2022. According to a spokesperson, the product is not merely a meat substitute; it is genuine meat. Aleph Foods aims to improve sustainability, food safety, and animal welfare in Switzerland and beyond with its cultured meat.

While the application in Switzerland is a milestone for cultivated meat in Europe, the company has already made similar requests in Asia and the United States. Once the Swiss authorities grant approval, Migros intends to introduce the product initially in high-end restaurants before gradually making it available on supermarket shelves. However, eager consumers will have to wait until approximately 2030 for the product to be fully approved and widely accessible.