Israeli Startup Seeks To Sell First Cultivated Meat In Europe

An Israeli startup making lab-grown cultivated meat has submitted an application to a Swiss regulatory agency to sell the first ever cultivated beef steaks in Europe.

Aleph Farms grow proteins from cell cultures rather than harvesting directly from animals.  In 2017, Aleph Farms unveiled the world’s first slaughter-free steak made from cow cells, and released their cultivated rib-eye steak in the following year.

The company is now collaborating with Migros, Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain, to sell their cultivated Petit Steak, a steak grown from the cells of the Black Angus cow.

“Together with Migros, we are establishing the cow cell as the third category of food products from cattle, alongside beef and milk,” said Didier Toubia, co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms.

According to research conducted jointly by Aleph Farms and Migros, 74% of Swiss consumers are open to trying cultivated meat and are motivated by ethical principles like sustainability. 

“Food systems affect everyone, and it will take a coordinated effort between regulators, innovators and incumbents to ensure food security in a way that helps humanity live within its planetary boundaries,” Toubia said.

The startup plans to launch Aleph Cuts – their product brand – in Singapore and Israel in limited quantities later this year. 

Founded in 2017, Aleph Farms is headquartered in Rehovot, central Israel.