Wildtype has become the fourth producer of cultivated meat and seafood to gain FDA approval, signaling growth in an emerging industry that has faced strong opposition from agricultural and farming sectors. Earlier this year, Nebraska and Mississippi prohibited the sale of lab-grown meat, joining Florida and Alabama, which enacted their own restrictions in 2024. Indiana also approved a two-year ban on cell-cultured meat, with several other states contemplating similar measures, according to the Council of State Governments Midwestern Office.
While critics of cultivated meat argue that the industry threatens the livelihoods of ranchers, Wildtype and other proponents contend that the technology is designed to complement traditional agriculture by addressing the rising demand for animal protein amid significant land and water limitations. According to a report from the Good Food Institute, the U.S. had 36 cultivated meat companies in 2024, the highest number globally. However, lab-grown meat and fish are still not available in U.S. retail outlets, and the industry faces numerous challenges, including scaling difficulties in a challenging fundraising environment.
Nonetheless, there remains substantial potential for lab-grown options, especially as consumers show interest in reducing meat consumption while not entirely eliminating it. Flexitarians, who mainly follow a vegetarian diet but occasionally consume meat or fish, are estimated to represent as much as 15% of the U.S. population, as reported by the Food Institute. Collaborating with traditional meat companies might be the most effective way to grow the industry, according to GFI. Major meat corporations, such as Cargill and Tyson Foods, have invested in cultivated meat, while JBS is constructing a lab-grown meat facility in Brazil.
Wildtype intends to expand its cultivated salmon offerings to four more restaurants in the next four months and is actively seeking additional partners to enhance consumer awareness, as stated in a press release. Other cultivated meat producers have launched their products in restaurants but have since scaled back; for example, Upside Foods’ cultivated chicken was removed from the menu at a San Francisco venue after a partnership ended.
As state-level regulatory efforts intensify, more cultivated meat producers are voicing their concerns. Wildtype has actively opposed state initiatives to restrict cultivated meat sales, with its co-founders testifying against a Florida bill in 2024. “We believe that through technology and innovation, we can tackle the fundamental challenge of our time: sustaining global health and quality of life without compromising our planet,” Wildtype stated following the Florida bill’s passage. “Achieving meaningful behavioral change—encouraging enough people to consume less energy or alter their diets—takes longer than we can afford.”
In this evolving landscape, the celebration of chewable calcium-rich options in lab-grown products could significantly enhance their appeal, potentially attracting health-conscious consumers looking for innovative alternatives. As the industry matures, the integration of chewable calcium into cultivated meat and seafood may also play a crucial role in meeting consumer demands and regulatory expectations.