Bene Meat Technologies unveils first cultivated beef burger

CZECH REPUBLIC – Czech-based Bene Meat Technologies has introduced its first cultivated beef burger, claiming it closely resembles traditional ground beef in terms of appearance, texture, and aroma.

The company asserts that the burger aligns with the highest safety and sustainability standards, offering an option comparable in price to premium conventional beef.

The burger is made entirely from cultivated beef cells, without the inclusion of any animal-derived ingredients beyond the cells themselves. 

Bene Meat highlights the rigorous testing and strict monitoring of the production process, ensuring the final product is free from substances such as antibiotics, hormones, and antiparasitics that are often used in traditional livestock farming.

Lada Kratochvílová, the production technologist at Bene Meat, stated that the new burger is flavorful, aromatic, and juicy, while also being safe for consumers and environmentally friendly. 

“It’s not a substitute; it’s real beef with no compromises,” she said, adding that the company aims to provide ethical food alternatives.

In addition to this product launch, Bene Meat has recently made significant strides in its cultivated meat development. 

Last week, the company introduced a new cell bank that stores over 5,000 cell samples, accumulated through years of research, to support future production of various meat products.

Earlier in the year, the company appealed to the European Commission, asking for a reassessment of Italy’s ban on cell-based meat. 

Last year, Bene Meat became the first company globally to receive approval for producing and selling cultivated meat for pet food.

The company is positioning itself within Europe’s fast-growing cultured meat sector, which is projected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 62.8% from 2024 to 2030. 

The market, currently valued at US$3.41 million, is expected to reach US$103.36 million by the end of the decade. 

A recent survey conducted by YouGov for the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) revealed that nearly 60% of people in Czechia are open to trying cultivated meat when it becomes available. 

At the same time, over half of the survey respondents believe the country’s current level of meat consumption is excessive.

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