Despite claims to the contrary, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says cell-based meats, or fake meats, are not a ‘zero sum’ product.  Colin Woodall, NCBA senior vice president of government affairs, said despite being the current darling in regard to the media and the financial community, there are still a lot of unknowns about the product.  He added cell-based meats need to be vetted thoroughly to ensure the public’s best interests are considered.

 

“We don’t know the nutritional value of that product.  We don’t know what the resource demand is for that product.  They may not take the land that we utilize, but there are going to be other resouces it takes to produce that product; this is not a zero-sum game for them.   And I think they have really told a bit of a misleading game in that conversation to the consumer.

 

Woodall said the discussions, thus far have led to a memorandum of understanding between the FDA and the USDA.  Prior to this agreement, both agencies had asserted jurisdictional authority over the production of these products.  Under this MOU, though, both agencies will share in the product’s oversight.

 

 

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