Brazilian startup Cellva Ingredients has raised $1.3 million to create cultivated animal-derived ingredients. The first product is cultivated pork fat. The company's management states its goal is to develop eco-friendly fats that are beneficial for the planet, humans, and animals.
Producing lard from a test tube takes just 21 days, while traditional pork fat requires up to 24 months. Cellva Ingredients claims that their fats may be healthier due to a non-GMO modulation process: they contain less saturated fat, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and are better absorbed by the body.
The process of making the product involves extracting cells from pigs using a safe biopsy. The cells are then placed in a bioreactor and fed natural ingredients until fat is formed. Despite its alternative nature, the food profile and structure of the product are indistinguishable from natural, while the cultivated fat contains less harmful saturated fat.
In addition to the economic advantage — the ability to obtain lard in less than a month instead of waiting for the animal to grow — there is also an ethical one. Each year, around 4 million pigs are sent for slaughter worldwide, and in this case, no animals will be harmed.
Currently, the company's capacity allows for the production of 1 kilogram of alternative fat per month, but plans are in place to increase volumes in the future. The market launch is scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025.
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