INTERVIEW Alternative Proteins Magazine October 2024 41 I joined Bene Meat Technologies in the summer of 2021, bringing my experience in commercializing revolutionary technologies. I am responsible for listening to customers and ensuring that the nascent technology in the hands of our scientists turns into a product that solves a specific problem customers are already having. Officially, my title is “Head of Strategic Projects,” though in the context of a U.S. startup, my role would likely align with a “Chief Product Officer” position. Is it true that Bene Meat Technologies is the first entity to produce and sell cultured meat for the purpose of making pet food? Can you tell us about the reason why you chose to go into this specific field? Our company’s pet food ingredient has achieved a significant milestone in the alternative proteins space. On November 8, 2023, it was officially registered under the Feed Materials Register as "Cultivated Cells of Mammalian Origin" with ID number 009569. Prior to this, on October 27, 2023, our production line was approved by the Czech Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture (No.: CZ 802529-01). These two milestones allow us to produce and commercialize this innovative ingredient for pet food across the EU market. We are proud to be the first company globally to gain market access for cultivated meat as a pet food ingredient, paving the way for future advancements in this field. Our team of 100 dedicated professionals is working relentlessly to scale production, and we have already begun supplying our cultivated meat ingredient to several pet food manufacturers, working with them to develop the final products. The demand we’re addressing is clear. Pet owners recognize the importance of meat in their pets' diets but often feel a moral disconnect between the care they provide to their companions and the conditions under which farmed animals are raised and slaughtered. Affordable cultivated meat offers a compelling solution, providing the authentic high-quality, nutritious animal protein—without the need for animal suffering or slaughter. It represents an ethical alternative that resonates with today’s conscientious consumers. Why should cultured meat be used in the production of pet food? What are your reasonings for the usage? There are several compelling reasons to use cultivated meat in pet food. First, it provides a premium, high-quality protein source with over 77% protein content in dry mass, making it a great choice for pets with specific dietary needs. As a monoprotein derived from a single species and cell type, it significantly lowers the risk of allergic reactions, making it ideal for specialized veterinary diets, especially for sensitive animals. The sterile, controlled environment in which cultivated meat is produced, eliminates the risks like contamination from pathogens, parasites, hormones, or antibiotics, which is a constant concern for almost all pet food manufacturers. For pet food manufacturers, it might also represent increased security in sourcing. In future, meat could be cultivated directly on site, reducing the logistical risks, again a common headache for most pet food supply managers , and would also contribute to an overall reduction in the carbon footprint.
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