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Lab-grown meat: How long before it's on a menu near you?

It's had lots of names already, lab-grown, cellular, even slaughter-free. But how soon will it be on British menus, and will it help satisfy the world's growing demand for meat?

The first lab-grown beef burger was cooked and eaten in London in 2013. Since then more than 15 types of meat have been re-created by food scientists - including lamb, duck, lobster and even kangaroo. Last year, Singapore became the first country in the world to approve the sale of a cultured chicken nugget - so how far away are we in the UK from seeing cultured meat on the menu?

The companies producing lab-grown meat say it is the answer to many of the world's problems; deforestation, factory farming, antibiotic resistance and carbon emissions. Sceptics say it is too expensive, highly-processed and any 'green' credentials have yet to be proven.

In this programme, Sheila Dillon speaks to some of those at the forefront of developments, and asks if lab-grown meat is the fix the meat eating world has been asking for?

Presented by Sheila Dillon
Produced in Bristol by Natalie Donovan

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Mon 19 Apr 2021 15:30

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Apr 2021 12:32
  • Mon 19 Apr 2021 15:30

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