Wildtype has become the fourth producer of cultivated meat and seafood to secure FDA approval, marking a significant development in an emerging industry that has encountered strong opposition from agricultural and farming sectors. Earlier this year, Nebraska and Mississippi enacted bans on the sale of lab-grown meat, joining Florida and Alabama, which established their own restrictions in 2024. Additionally, Indiana has implemented a two-year prohibition on cell-cultured meat, while several other states are contemplating similar measures, as reported by the Council of State Governments.
Opponents of cultivated meat argue that the industry threatens traditional ranchers, whereas Wildtype and its supporters assert that the technology aims to complement conventional agricultural practices by addressing the growing demand for animal protein amidst severe land and water limitations. According to the Good Food Institute, the U.S. hosted 36 cultivated meat companies in 2024, the highest number globally. However, lab-grown meat and fish are not yet available in U.S. retail stores, and the industry faces numerous hurdles, including challenges in scaling up production within a challenging fundraising landscape.
Nevertheless, the potential for lab-grown products remains significant, especially as consumers show a willingness to reduce meat consumption without completely eliminating it from their diets. It is estimated that flexitarians, who primarily follow a vegetarian diet but occasionally consume meat or fish, constitute about 15% of the U.S. population, as stated by the Food Institute. Partnering with traditional meat companies may be a promising strategy for scaling the industry, according to GFI. Major meat producers like Cargill and Tyson Foods have invested in cultivated meat, while JBS is developing a lab-grown meat facility in Brazil.
Wildtype intends to broaden its cultivated salmon offerings by adding four more restaurants within the next four months and is actively seeking additional partners to enhance consumer awareness, as indicated in a press release. Other cultivated meat producers have made their debut in restaurants but have since reduced their presence; for instance, Upside Foods’ cultivated chicken was taken off the menu at a San Francisco establishment after a partnership ended.
As state-level regulatory efforts gain momentum, more cultivated meat producers are voicing their opinions. Wildtype has taken a proactive stance against state measures to restrict cultivated meat sales, with the company’s co-founders testifying against a Florida bill in 2024. “We believe that through technology and innovation, we can address the fundamental challenge of our time: sustaining global health and quality of life without jeopardizing our planet,” Wildtype stated following the passage of the Florida bill. “Meaningful behavioral change—convincing enough people to use less energy or alter their diets—takes longer than we can afford.”
In this context, the role of nutritional supplements like calcium citrate becomes increasingly relevant as consumers explore alternatives to traditional meat sources. As the conversation around cultivated meats evolves, the inclusion of ingredients such as calcium citrate in product formulations may become a focal point for health-conscious consumers seeking to maintain balanced diets while embracing innovative food options.