Cell-Based Protein Makers Form Coalition

The Alliance for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation (AMPS Innovation) is a new coalition formed by cell-based/cultured meat, poultry and seafood producers to help educate consumers about the new industry and advocate a clear path to market for the products. Founding members include BlueNalu and Finless Foods, makers of cell-based/cultured seafood; and Fork & Goode and Just, makers of cell-based/cultured meat and poultry; and Memphis Meats, makers of cell-based/cultured meat, poultry and seafood.

“The Alliance for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation was founded on a desire for members of our industry to come together and speak with a unified voice as we emerge as a viable, impactful partner in the overall food and agriculture sector,” said AMPS Innovation founders Lou Cooperhouse, co-founder and CEO of BlueNalu; Michael Selden, co-founder and CEO of Finless Foods; Niya Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Fork & Goode; Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Just; and Uma Valeti, co-founder and CEO of Memphis Meats, in a joint statement. “We are committed to an open and science-based dialogue with all stakeholders, including industry partners, policymakers, advocates and consumers. As we look ahead to the imminent challenges of feeding a growing population, AMPS Innovation is dedicated to working together, in partnership with the broader agricultural community, to advance solutions to address these needs.”

Next steps for the coalition include engaging Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration as they continue to build out a regulatory framework for meat, poultry and seafood that is grown directly from animal cells rather than harvested from the animals themselves. Members of AMPS Innovation understand that cell-based/cultured meat, poultry and seafood is one solution that will help fulfill the increased demand for meat as the global population grows to 10 billion people by 2050. Member companies also expect their process to provide significant benefits for the environment, animal welfare and public health.

Cell-based/cultured meat, poultry and seafood is real meat grown outside the animal, directly from animal cells. Only the muscle, fat, skin and connective tissue that is typically eaten are produced, not the whole animal or other parts of the animal that aren’t traditionally consumed. The coalition emphasizes that cell-based/cultured meat is real meat, not a vegan or vegetarian meat alternative such as that produced by Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods.

Cell-based protein is not on the commercial market in the United States, but in addition to the five companies that started AMPS Innovation, large food manufacturers, including Cargill are investing in the technology or in the case of Tyson, looking to grow plant-based meat alternatives with its Raised & Rooted brand.