In World First, Israel Approves Lab-Grown Beef Steaks For Public Sale 

An Israeli startup producing lab-grown meat has received approval from the Israeli government to publicly sell its cultivated beef steaks in the country. 

This is the first time that non-chicken cultivated meat has been approved for market anywhere in the world and the first time that any form of cultivated meat has been authorized for sale in the entire Middle East.  

Rather than harvesting directly from animals, Rehovot-based Aleph Farms grows proteins from the cell cultures that are the building blocks of the Aleph Cuts steaks. 

The first product to go on sale will reportedly be the Petit Steak, made from the cells of a Black Angus cow together with a plant protein mix made from soy and wheat.  

The steaks will only appear in Israeli shops once the company has gone through the required regulatory process, which Alpha Farms expects to complete in the coming months. 

The lab-grown meat is cost effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly, the company says, and could bolster food security in the region, especially during times of conflict.

“The entire Aleph team has united in strength and determination to deliver no matter what during these difficult times in Israel. We are excited to carry this resilience forward in the form of innovation in agriculture and food security,” said Didier Toubia, CEO and co-founder of Aleph Farms. 

“With its global leadership in cellular agriculture, Israel continues to push for greater regional integration and economic collaboration, which will be crucial for stabilizing the region. We believe that addressing joint challenges like food security is the best way to ensure the prosperity of the Middle East and other parts of the world that rely heavily on massive food imports, especially in Asia,” he said. 

“Aleph Farms… is undoubtedly one of the flagship companies leading the Israeli alternative protein market, and a world leader in its field,” said Ronit Eshel, FoodTech Sector Lead at the Israel Innovation Authority, which has invested in the company.  

“These advanced products carry much anticipation, due to the expected shortage of food, and much due to their positive effect on the climate in terms of carbon emissions, along with the sensitivity to animals. This is a historic day and we are proud to take part in the success,” she said.