Believer Meats Becomes First Foreign Company to Secure FDA Clearance for Cultivated Chicken
Key Insights
Israeli startup Believer Meats (search) has received FDA's "No Questions" letter, becoming the first non-US company to gain regulatory clearance for cultivated meat products in the United States.
The company has completed construction of what it claims is the world's first large-scale cultivated meat production facility in North Carolina, capable of producing 12,000 metric tons of cultivated chicken (search) annually.
Believer Meats (search) reports it can produce cultivated chicken (search) at approximately $6.20 per pound using proprietary bioreactor technology, positioning it competitively against traditional chicken prices of $4.12 per pound.
Israeli cultivated meat startup Believer Meats (search) has achieved a significant regulatory milestone, becoming the first foreign company to receive FDA clearance for cultivated chicken (search) products in the United States. The FDA issued the company a "No Questions" letter, formally concluding that the agency accepts Believer Meats' determination that its cultivated chicken is safe for human consumption.
CEO Gustavo Burger described the achievement as "a transformative moment for Believer Meats (search) and the cultivated meat industry as a whole," adding that "this is more than just progress – it's a defining moment, a bold leap forward in our vision to lead food innovation that cares for the planet."
World's First Large-Scale Production Facility
Concurrent with the FDA approval, Believer Meats (search) announced the completion of its production facility in Wilson, North Carolina. The company claims this 200,000-square-foot facility represents the world's first large-scale cultivated meat production site designed specifically for commercial volumes.
Once fully operational, the facility will have capacity to produce up to 12,000 metric tons (approximately 26 million pounds) of cultivated chicken (search) annually. The site will serve multiple functions as Believer Meats (search)' production hub, innovation center, and consumer showcase.
"With our regulatory progress on track, production facility complete, and clear path to market, we are closer than ever to delivering cultivated meat at scale, strengthening global food security, and helping shape a more sustainable food system," the company stated.
Cost-Competitive Production Technology
Believer Meats (search) reports it can produce cultivated chicken (search) at approximately $6.20 per pound using its proprietary technology. This pricing comes at a time when traditional meat prices have reached significant highs, with US beef prices at $9.26 per pound and chicken breast tenderloins currently priced at $4.12 per pound on major retail platforms.
The company's production approach centers on a proprietary perfusion process utilizing a centrifuge-based system to rejuvenate cell culture media, remove waste byproducts, and conserve water and nutrients. This closed-loop approach is designed to minimize production costs while improving consistency and resource efficiency.
Strategic Partnership with GEA
Believer Meats (search)' technological advancement builds on a strategic partnership announced in 2024 with German engineering company GEA (search). The collaboration focuses on developing next-generation production technologies to improve efficiency, performance, and environmental sustainability of cultivated meat production.
Under this partnership, GEA (search) is helping Believer design and commission custom bioreactors capable of achieving high cell density and yields. Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA, noted, "With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, it's crucial to find ways to feed more people using fewer resources. We share Believer's belief that cell cultivation is key to providing safe, healthy, and affordable meat on a large scale."
Regulatory Pathway to Market
While the FDA's "No Questions" letter represents a crucial regulatory milestone, Believer Meats (search) must still complete the approval process with the US Department of Agriculture. The company is currently working with USDA (search) on the remaining steps to gain full regulatory approval for commercial sale, including facility inspection and label approval.
The FDA's acceptance of Believer's safety conclusion followed a comprehensive review of the company's data on its cultivated chicken (search) product. Believer Meats (search) joins four other cultivated meat companies that have previously received FDA clearance in the United States.
Burger emphasized the company's focus moving forward: "As we move forward, our focus remains on execution. Advancing cultivated meat from promise to product, and contributing to a more resilient, sustainable food system."