Nine years after the presentation of the cultured meat burger, it is finally possible: Mark Post can have his products tasted.
At the end of 2022, the founder of Mosa Meat expects to be able to organize the first tasting. “It’s a really big step forward,” Post said. “Parliament has passed a law providing that possibility.”
First burger
Producing meat without having to slaughter animals seemed a utopia for a long time. Until Maastricht University in London in 2013 presented the first cultured hamburger† The meat is made by growing cells from a cow in a laboratory. Because the cells multiply in a special liquid and thereby form muscle fibers, meat is produced. “It is a necessary solution for the growing demand for meat around the world,” said Mark Post.
livestock
While the cabinet is strongly committed to reducing livestock numbers by cutting the number of farms, political enthusiasm for cultured meat turned out to be much less. Although the House of Representatives asked the cabinet for an action plan for the summer of 2020, Minister Schouten advised against the motion. Dutch companies are leading the way in the development of cultured meat, according to the appeal from parliament, but that position is under pressure due to legislation that hinders further development and innovation.
Tastings
Under strict circumstances, the current cabinet is making more room for the next step for Mosa Meat. “The trials will still take place under strict conditions,” said Post. “We had to wait for approval from the European Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority before we could even let anyone taste anything. I expect that we will be able to have a number of small tests done by the end of this year.”
Ukraine
The war between Russia and Ukraine confronts Europe with its dependence on food production abroad. According to Mosa Meat, the political decision fits in with this new reality. “Cultivated meat is a future-proof way to make our food chain more resilient and to feed a growing population,” said Robert Jones of Mosa Meat.
Royal day
Mosa Meat will also be represented on King’s Day in Maastricht on 27 April. At the request of Willem-Alexander and Maxima, the Limburg food technology company will sit down at Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. The cultured burger is given a place there next to the sour meat and the Limburg pie.