According to the FDA, its safe to eat; experts weigh in on the pros and cons.

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Americans certainly have a thing for chicken, chowing more chicken than pork and beef.

In 2022, the average American ate about 98.9 pounds of broiler chicken.

an illustration of a pack of frozen chicken breasts with question marks around it

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That amounts to more than 8 billion chickens being killed every year.Yet that could soon change.

Simply put, yes.

What Is Lab-Grown Meat?

Heres how it works.

Lab-grown chicken starts with cells extracted from an egg or live animals.

The cells are then put into stainless-steel vats reminiscent of those found in breweries.

Is It Safe to Eat?

In other words, lab-grown chicken is safe to eat.

Yet from a chronic disease and health perspective, the verdict isnt so clear.

That means you could use it in dishes just as you would farmed chicken, Hunnes says.

But what about the protein content?

Lab-grown chicken may have more protein than traditionally grown chicken.

Might this mean then that lab-grown chicken is healthier than farmed chicken?

The Pros of Lab-Grown Meat

Experts see numerous benefits with lab-grown chicken.

So Should You Eat Lab-Grown Chicken?

Yes, especially given all of the positives behind it.

The Bottom Line

Dont be chicken to try lab-grown chicken if given the chance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cultured meat is derived from the cells of animals.

Plus, some of the mediums that are used to grow lab-grown meat come from animals.

Because vegans dont eat or use anything with animals, lab-grown chicken is not vegan.

To a point, it is real chicken.

Statista.Per capita meat consumption in the United States in 2022 and 2033, by key in.

Animal Clock.Questions and Answers.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Completes First Pre-Market Consultation for Human Food Made Using Animal Cell Culture Technology.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Completes Second Pre-Market Consultation for Human Food Made Using Animal Cell Culture Technology.

Its science (but not rocket science).

Good Food Institute.Cultivated meat media kit.

UPSIDE Foods.What do you know about the environmental benefits of cultured meat production?

The Associated Press.Lab-grown meat isnt on store shelves yet, but some states have already banned it.

Missouri Independent.Was that chicken cutlet grown in a lab?

These states want you to know.