This country authorizes the sale of laboratory-created meat, a world first

As so-called “clean” meat continues to gain popularity, an American start-up has launched the production of chicken nuggets made in the laboratory from animal muscle cells. Singapore was the first in the world to allow them for sale.

Singapore has given the green light to US start-up Eat Just to sell its laboratory-grown chicken meat. The company says it is the world’s first regulatory approval for so-called “clean” meat, namely that does not come from slaughtered animals, Reuters reports.

The demand for alternatives to traditional meat is increasing due to consumer concerns about the health and welfare of animals as well as environmental pollution. And while vegetable meats are increasingly present on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus, “clean” meat, grown from animal muscle cells in the laboratory, is still in the early stages given the high production costs.