Upside Foods has initiated another round of layoffs as part of a strategic restructuring aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.

This decision comes in the wake of previous workforce reductions in February and July 2024, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by the company and the broader industry.

A spokesperson for Upside Foods confirmed the layoffs but refrained from disclosing specific numbers or detailed plans regarding the reorganisation.

The restructuring is intended to streamline operations and focus on the commercialisation and scaling of its cultivated meat products. "We’ve reorganised our team and operations to stay agile and efficient to meet any challenges ahead," the spokesperson stated.

This shift is particularly notable as Upside has decided to pause its plans for a large-scale production facility in Glenview, Illinois, opting instead to expand its smaller 'EPIC' site in Emeryville, California.

The EPIC facility, which opened in late 2021, is viewed as a more cost-effective option for scaling up production, with the company indicating that this approach will require substantially less"investment compared to the proposed Glenview plant.

Despite raising $608 million since its inception in 2015, Upside Foods has acknowledged that its whole cut technology, which has received regulatory approval in the US, is not yet ready for widespread market introduction.

However, the company is optimistic about its hybrid production method, which combines animal cells grown in 2,000-litre bioreactors with plant-based components to create products like nuggets and patties. This hybrid approach has not yet secured regulatory approval, adding another layer of complexity to Upside's commercialisation efforts.

As part of its expansion at the EPIC facility, Upside plans to incorporate larger cultivators, demonstrating its capability to scale operations while maintaining the quality and safety standards achieved at the smaller scale.