As Florida’s ban on “lab-grown” meat is set to go into effect next week, a notable manufacturer hosted a final tasting party in Miami. Upside Foods, a California-based company, held the event on Thursday evening at a rooftop reception in Wynwood, a Miami neighborhood known for its vibrant street art, breweries, nightclubs, and trendy restaurants.
A Celebration of Cultivated Meat
“This is delicious meat,” said Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods. “We believe that people should have a choice in what they put on their plate.”
In June 2023, the U.S. approved the sale of “cell-cultivated” meat, allowing companies like Upside Foods and Good Meat to sell cultivated chicken. Despite this, Florida and Alabama have banned the sale of cultivated meat and seafood, with other states considering similar restrictions.
Florida’s Stance and Industry Response
Florida cattle ranchers supported Gov. Ron DeSantis when he signed the ban into law in May. Valeti noted that Florida officials did not consult his company before passing the legislation. “It’s clear to us that the governor and the government have been misinformed,” Valeti stated. “We just want a chance to have a direct conversation and show that this is proven science and proven safety.”
Cultivated meat is grown in steel tanks using cells from a living animal, a fertilized egg, or a storage bank. These cells are fed a mix of water, sugar, fats, and vitamins before being formed into various shapes.
A Taste of the Future
Chef Mika Leon of Caja Caliente in Coral Gables prepared cultivated chicken for the event. Guests had their first, and potentially last, taste of cultivated meat before the ban. Leon served chicken tostadas with avocado, chipotle crema, and beet sprouts. “When you cook it, it sizzles and cooks just like chicken,” Leon said. “And when you eat it, it’s juicy.”
Guest Alexa Arteaga noted, “The texture is a little different, but the taste was really good, way better than I was expecting.” Skyler Myers added, “There’s no way you would ever know the difference.”
Ethics and Environmental Impact
Valeti emphasized that cultivated meat addresses many ethical, health, and environmental issues associated with traditional meat production. “We don’t have any confined animals,” Valeti said. “We just have healthy animal cells growing in cultivators.”
Despite the restrictions, cultivated meat remains too expensive to reach the mass market. Upside Foods and others are scaling up production to lower costs while also addressing bans through petitions and potential legal actions.
Legal and Legislative Battles
Sean Edgett, Upside Foods’ chief legal officer, stated that the company underwent a rigorous process with the USDA and FDA for approval. He believes state bans are unconstitutional and hopes the courts will intervene if lawmakers do not change their stance.
State Sen. Jay Collins, who sponsored Florida’s bill, said the legislation aims to protect consumers and the state’s agriculture. “Let’s not rush to replace something,” Collins said. “We have a billion-dollar industry feeding many people with our cattle, beef, pork, poultry, and fish industries.”
Valeti clarified that he isn’t looking to replace traditional farming but to offer more options. “We want multiple choices that feed us. Some choices come from conventional farming, some from plant-based foods, and cultivated meat is another solid choice.”