Cult Food Science has announced that its subsidiary Further Foods expects to complete the design of the feeding trials necessary for regulatory approval of dog food products containing cultivated chicken later this month.

In partnership with vet nutritionist Sarah Dodd, Further Foods, and its pet food brand Noochies! is designing a target animal safety (TAS) study to establish that the inclusion of cell-based chicken in pet food formulations is safe and effective.

The company expects to submit the feeding trial design protocol to the US Food and Drug Association (FDA) later this month – the FDA endeavours to provide a response within 45 days of submission. Further Foods says that it hopes to begin the feeding trials in Q4 2024 once the FDA is satisfied with the design of the protocol.

Further Foods is designing a TAS study to provide evidence that cell-based chicken is safe and useful for its intended purpose as a complimentary protein source in dog food products.

The TAS will carry out:

• A 26 week, minimally invasive feeding study

  
  

• 30 healthy, adult dogs of a variety of breeds and ages receiving one of: control dose, test dose and high inclusion dose

  
  

• Feed intake data, haematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, weight, faecal analysis and digestibility factors will be monitored to ensure the inclusion of cell-cultivated meat is safe for the animals.

Sarah Dodd said: "I'm thrilled to be collaborating with Further Foods and Noochies! on this very exciting feeding trial. Cultivated meat is an area I am personally exceptionally excited about, for both its nutritional potential for animals and for its positive impact on the environment. I look forward to navigating the regulatory pathways and feeding trial requirements with the FDA and advancing this first of its kind trial forward."

Mitchell Scott, CEO of Cult Food Science, commented: "We believe this FDA feeding trial will position us on the leading edge of cellular agriculture and cultivated meat innovation. But even more importantly, we believe that the implications of a successful trial could change the landscape of pet food as a whole.”

He continued: “Cultivated meat has nutritional benefits, environmental benefits and ethical benefits for pet owners. But the regulatory pathways have yet to be successfully navigated and as a result, this is not currently an option in North America. We are seeking to be a first mover in changing that and look forward to advancing this trial in collaboration with Sarah Dodd and the FDA.”

This news follows last week's announcement that UK start-up Meatly recieved approval for cultivated meat pet food.

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