Cultivated meat industry faced setbacks and limited availability

In July 2023, two California startups successfully sold cultivated meat made from chicken cells in two US restaurants, marking a significant moment for the industry. However, the availability of cultivated meat in restaurants has since been paused or stopped altogether in the US, Singapore, and elsewhere. Upside Foods initially partnered with Michelin-starred restaurant Bar-Crenn to serve its cultivated chicken, but the partnership was later removed from the restaurant's website. Similarly, good meat, a subsidiary of Eat Just, sold its cultivated chicken at Chef Jose Andres' restaurant in Washington, D.C., but reservations were later paused. Despite these setbacks, both Upside Foods and Eat Just plan to relaunch sales in 2024. The goal of these early sales was to generate buzz and assess public reception, although production costs and financial challenges have raised concerns about long-term viability.