Israeli Cultivated Lamb Is “Indistinguishable” From Regular Meat

An Israeli company says it is cultivating lamb from cells in the laboratory that is indistinguishable from conventional farm-bred lamb.

Future Meat Technologies says it can now produce the cultivated lamb at scale, and will focus on producing the meat of other animal species. 

The cultivated lamb looks, cooks and tastes like conventional ground lamb meat, and is ideal for burgers, kebabs and more, the company says.

Future Meat started developing cultivated lamb in 2019 with fibroblast cells isolated from Awassi sheep, generating two independent ovine cell lines that divide indefinitely.

“In passing this milestone, Future Meat reinforces its position as a leader and pioneer in the cultivated meat industry and shows again the limitless potential of how innovation can drive sustainable solutions,” said Nicole Johnson-Hoffman, CEO of Future Meat.

“The key learnings will be leveraged as we work to produce other meats, including beef and pork, increasing Future Meat’s market offerings for consumers.

“Future Meat has been the first company to remove fetal bovine serum, and all other animal components, from its growth media,” said Prof. Yaakov Nahmias, President, Founder and Chief Science Officer of Future Meat Technologies.

“Future Meat’s approach leans on the natural spontaneous immortalization of fibroblasts, rather than genetic modification. This is the key to Future Meat’s cells being non-GMO.”

“Since lamb has a uniquely distinct flavor, it is very clear if a cultivated substitute is on or off the mark,” said Michael Lenahan, General Manager of Future Meat.

“The reason Future Meat’s cultivated lamb is indistinguishable from conventional lamb is because it is, first and foremost, real meat. It sizzles, sears and tastes just like people expect—and it’s amazing.”

Future Meat Technologies was founded in 2018, and raised $347 million in its most recent funding round last December.