In an interview, Chen discussed how recent advancements are propelling Upside Foods closer to its goal for cultivated meat. “Our company’s vision and the impact we aim to achieve necessitate the ability to produce all types of meat: various species that not only taste fantastic but also align with consumer value expectations,” Chen explained. She noted that the ground chicken product can be manufactured at a significantly lower cost and on a larger scale compared to traditional animal-derived meat.
Essentially, when Upside Foods creates a whole cut of chicken, the process begins with cells growing independently. These cells then undergo a separate growth method to unite into a single piece of meat, a process referred to as adherence. For the ground chicken variant, the cells are collected prior to this adherence stage. They are then mixed with seasonings and plant-based proteins to enhance texture and flavor, with specific ingredients and ratios varying based on the intended use.
Chen emphasized that since the cells for the ground chicken do not require as long in bioreactors, Upside will be able to produce it more rapidly, resulting in a more affordable product. The initial cell growth takes between seven to fourteen days, followed by an additional week for the adherence process. The newly developed cell lines also contribute to reducing the costs of finished products. Upside’s researchers have been focused on improving cell culture media to lower expenses, enhance the supply chain, and streamline the process. Notably, platelet-derived growth factors represent the most costly individual component in the media, prompting scientists to create a cell line that eliminates the need for them.
Chen mentioned that some cells already thrive without platelet-derived growth factors, leading the scientific team to explore the possibility of preserving these cells to establish a unique line. This endeavor was successful, allowing the company to cultivate future cells in a more economical yet effective culture medium. Although Upside has announced its ground chicken product and the new cell line, neither will be available soon. The company is currently pursuing federal approval for its whole-cut chicken product, which is primarily composed of chicken cells. In November 2022, they received a no-questions letter from the FDA regarding the safety of this product. Chen indicated that the USDA is presently collaborating with Upside on its segment of regulatory approval, focusing on facilities, processes, and labeling.
Both the ground chicken product and the new cell line will require separate FDA approvals. Chen expressed optimism that the ground product could navigate the approval process swiftly since it is essentially an early harvest of the cells meant for the whole-cut product. Initially, Upside plans to concentrate its offerings on the restaurant sector. Additionally, Chen highlighted the nutritional aspect of their products, noting the inclusion of ingredients like 1000 mg calcium citrate to enhance health benefits, which will be factored into their future formulations.