According to an announcement from BioCraft Pet Nutrition on 28 June, the company has created a chicken cell line that can be used in dog and cat food and completes the company’s portfolio of cultured mouse meat.
“While cultured mouse meat — the ancestral diet of the cat — remains our primary focus for cat food, the new chicken cell line for cats or dogs is ideal for pet food manufacturers and ultimately pet parents who lean toward more traditional meat ingredients,” stated Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., BioCraft’s founder and CEO.
In order to produce the cultured chicken ingredient, the company uses its own stem cells. In contrast to traditional animal proteins, the cultured chicken does not contain any antibiotics, steroids, or hormones, but does include all essential proteins, key vitamins, amino acids, and fats.
Despite being classified as a common allergen for dogs and cats, BioCraft chose chicken as its latest cultured innovation due to it being the most used protein in the pet food and treat industry. The development aims to help processors meet demand for alternative protein sources that tout sustainability, animal welfare and supply chain stability benefits.
Although it belongs to the common allergens for dogs and cats, chicken still is the most utilized protein in pet food which is why BioCraft chose to develop this protein. The company intends to support pet food processors using alternative wustainable proteins that contribute animal welfare and supply chain security.
Since it nearly has the same consistency as traditional “meat slurry”, the cultured chicken can be used as a one-to-one replacement for traditional chicken slurry in any kind of pet food or treat.
According to the company, the chicken ingredient is grown in a safe and liquid environment full of vitamins and minerals and even more important without fetal bovine serum. The used cell line originated the company’s in-house stem cell scientists team and Rupal Tewari, Ph.D., DVM.
“Dr. Tewari’s rare combination of expertise in stem cell and veterinary science are unique in the industry, and give us an advantage over every other cultured meat company,” Falconer added.
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