Clean meat & (plant-based) alternative meat - Toward the age of "meat" without animal sacrifice

Why “cultured meat” and “alternative meat” — animal sacrifice

The graph below shows the estimated number of animals sacrificed around the world for meat, eggs, and dairy from 1961 to 2017.

Source: FAOSTAT
* Laying Eggs hen and Meat chicken use the left-most 1000Head axis, while Meat pig, Meat cattle, and Milk whole fresh cow use the inner axis.

Here are the numbers of animals sacrificed in 2017. They amount to over 10 times the world population.

Egg-laying hens	7.838 billion birds
Broiler chickens	66.567 billion birds
Pigs	1.486 billion heads
Beef cattle	344.149 million heads
Dairy cows	278.014 million heads

* Note that the above numbers don’t include fishes. When fishes are included, the number of animals sacrificed for human food leaps to 300 billion/year.

Why “cultured meat” and “alternative meat” — risks of animal agriculture

Factory-style livestock farming, which has expanded to cover two-thirds of the land area of the earth, is now the major cause of environmental destruction such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and mass consumption of water resources. In 2006, FAO announced in its research report “Livestock’s long shadow” *23 that “the livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems“, but over 10 years have passed and factory farming is becoming more and more widespread. In December 2019, scientists said that if the livestock industry continues to expand, it will emit 49% of the carbon dioxide required to raise the temperature by 1.5 degrees by 2030. They called for declaring a timeframe for peak livestock, where “livestock production from each species would not continue to increase from this point forward.” *72.

Big shift toward “meat” without livestock

Over the last few years, many have become aware of this issue and have begun to take action. That is the switch to “meat” without animal sacrifice, such as clean meat and vegetable substitute meat. Even meat companies have already started producing plant-based meat. An analysis by the global management consulting firm AT Kearney predicts that by 2040, cultured and alternative meats will account for 60% of the “meat” market. The current livestock-derived meat will drop to 40% *49.

The think tank Rethink X also predicted in its report “Rethinking Food and Agriculture 2020-2030” (2019) that the plant protein industry will not only expand rapidly, but will be comparable to the animal protein industry in the next 15 years. The report predicts that vegetable and cultured proteins (proteins that do not involve the process of livestock) will be five times cheaper than animal proteins by 2030, that milk demand will decrease 90% by 2035, and that other livestock products will follow the same path.

As of 2019, over 250 large corporations, nonprofits, and research institutes are developing, investing in, and selling clean meats and vegetable alternatives. *33

Switching to animal foods that do not involve “animal breeding” is also becoming a national concern.

Movements are spreading in Japan as well. In 2019, the Ministry of the Environment awarded the Minister of the Environment Award to MFMAJ, which promotes Meat Free Monday. In addition, the 2020 Environmental White Paper was also trying to introduce the activities of this group (although it was canceled from being included in the Environmental White Paper due to the opposition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries promoting meat eating).

In March 2020, the new “Food, Agriculture, and Rural Basic Plan” included that “to meet diverse food demands, we will promote the development of food tech that combines food and cutting-edge technology, such as research and development of alternative meats that use plant proteins like soybeans, through industry-academia-government collaboration to create a new market”. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) established the Food Tech Study Group in April of the same year, and is discussing the diversification of protein supply utilizing the latest technology (Food Tech). In the interim report in July, substitute meat and cultured meat are recognized as important areas (interim report of the MAFF Food Tech Study Group).

Clean meat (cultured meat)

It’s an era where some of the most successful business people, such as Bill Gates and Richard Branson, invest in clean meat. The fact that they pay attention is likely to indicate that this field is likely to grow significantly.

The National Academy of Sciences, which conducted a survey at the request of the White House, reported that “cultured meat” would grow the most in the field of biotechnology in the future *1.

Movement in Japan

Here in Japan as well, research on clean meat (Shojinmeat Project) has begun. Integriculture Inc., a spin-off of the Shojinmeat Project, announced on May 25, 2018 that it has raised a total of 300 million yen through a third-party allotment. It released On July 4, 2019 it announced that it will start developing basic technology for food production by mass culturing animal cells in collaboration with Nippon Ham Co., Ltd. *73. In addition, in the open call for participants for the 2020 “Research and Development-type Startup Support Project” of the National Research and Development Corporation New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), it was selected as a subsidized company and was decided to receive a subsidy of approximately 240 million yen *109.

In March 2019, Nissin Foods and the University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science, jointly developed the cultured meat “steak meat” *43. Sankei reports that Japan is at the top level in this field, as represented by iPS, because the technique of increasing cells to create tissue can be diverted to the technology of cultured meat *44.

In January 2020, a corporate alliance (consisting of major food companies such as Nissin Foods Holdings, Nippon-Ham Fighters, House Foods Group Headquarters, and development research institutes) was established with the aim of popularizing cultured meat. A tasting party for government officials is said be held in September *78.

Plant-Based Meat (alternative meat）

Like clean meat, “plant-derived meat”, so-called alternative meat, does not sacrifice animals. This is not “meat” but fake meat made from plant-based ingredients. Alternative meats are becoming more widespread in Japan, but they are moving faster in other countries. In November 2018, the Government of Canada announced that it would invest $153 million in plant protein *21.

Movement in Japan

Although behind overseas, the number of companies entering the alternative meat market in Japan has increased dramatically in recent years.

- Mitsui has invested in the listed Beyond Meat (ratio not announced). It’s preparing for sale in Japan. *68
- Fuji Oil Group Headquarters Co., Ltd. (Development, production and sales of plant-based foods for more than half a century) *25
- Glico Foods Co., Ltd. *13
- Food wholesaler Nishimoto Wismettac Holdings Co., Ltd. (plans to sell worldwide an alternative to tuna called Ahimi, made from tomato, soy sauce, sugar, water, and sesame oil developed by Ocean Hugger Foods. Also says that Nishimoto is developing “eel” from eggplant. *26
- In April 2019, food delivery company Oisix Ra Daichi acquired Three Limes, a vegan food delivery company in the United States, and entered the food delivery business in the United States *90.
- In addition, Marudai Foods, Itoham, S & B Foods, Otsuka Holdings, KENKO Mayonnaise, etc. also sell alternative meat products *68.
- On January 7, 2020, Kumamoto City’s food venture DAIZ (Soybean, President Tsuyoshi Ide) announced plans to sell “plant-based meat” made only from soybeans nationwide from April.
- Nippon-Ham, the largest meat company in Japan, will enter the “plant-based meat” market, which uses plant-based ingredients, in March. From the perspective of animal protection and growing health consciousness, the demand for plant-based meat is expected to increase rapidly in the world, and it is predicted that the market will reach 9 trillion yen in 2030 (quoted from Nihon Keizai Shimbun WEB News 2020/1/14).
- Mos Food Service will sell 100% plant-based hamburgers using alternative meats nationwide this summer. In addition to meat substitutes, it has jointly developed bread and sauces without butter, eggs, or animal extracts with domestic manufacturers. (2020/2/15 23:00 Quoted from the electronic version of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun)
- DAIZ Co., Ltd., a startup that develops and manufactures soybean-derived plant meat raw materials (miracle chips), raised a total of 650 million yen through a third-party allotment of capital undertaking five companies such as Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Growth Industrialization Support Organization (A-FIVE) and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd. (2020.05.18 DAIZ, a plant-based meat startup, raised a total of 650 million yen in Series A, and the cumulative amount raised was 1.2 billion yen).
- In 2020, electronic component maker “IBIDEN” will start producing “alternative meat” made from plant-based proteins such as soybeans. (Ibiden enters alternative meat Mainichi Shimbun)
- NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS is also considering replacing the “mysterious meat” and “eggs” of cup noodles with 100% plant-derived ingredients. It will also proceed with research and development on “cultured meat,” which makes edible meat from animal cells. (Nissin Foods, cup noodle “mysterious meat” 100% plant-derived is also considered TBS)
- Next Meets Co., Ltd. is engaged in research and development, commercialization, and sales of alternative meats with the catch phrase “Do not end the earth.” In July 2020, it released “Next Burger 1.2”, a delicious, healthy and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goal adopted by the United Nations) alternative meat hamburger <Forefront of Soybean Meat Business> (“Save the Earth with Alternative Meat” , Product development like hamburgers and yakiniku in collaboration with experts and universities / Next Meets 2020.8.27 Food Industry Newspaper)

The one who funded the first cultured meat (clean meat) produced in the world was Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin with an estimated net worth of $30.6 billion.
He says the reason he invested in clean meat was “for animal welfare”.

People had an erroneous image of modern meat production, imagining “pristine farms” with just a few animals in them. When you see how these cows are treated, it’s certainly something I’m not comfortable with.” *9

It may not be long before the day when clean meat and fake meat are lined up in the “meat” corner of supermarkets, the meat made by confining and killing animals is shoved to the corner, and the suffering is put to an end.

*1 Preparing for Future Products of Biotechnology (2017)
http://dels.nas.edu/Report/Preparing-Future-Products-Biotechnology/24605
*2 Macintyre, Ben (2007-01-20). “Test-tube meat science’s next leap”. The Australian. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
*3独立行政法人農畜産業振興機構調査部の2017年月号[消費者の求める需要に対して揺れる米国の畜産業界]
*4 PLANT-BASED PROTEINS ARE GAINING DOLLAR SHARE AMONG NORTH AMERICANS CONSUMER | 09-22-2017
http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2017/plant-based-proteins-are-gaining-dollar-share-among-north-americans.html
*5 Survey of US Attitudes Towards Animal Farming and Animal-Free Food October 2017 https://www.sentienceinstitute.org/animal-farming-attitudes-survey-2017
*6 Plant-based protein interest increases DEC. 1, 2017 – BY KEITH NUNES
*7 Tyson Foods further invests in Beyond Meat Latest investment expands beyond the company’s earlier purchase of a 5 percent stake
*8 培養肉は世界を救うか　都心が「畜産」王国にポスト平成の未来学
*9 Google’s Sergey Brin bankrolled world’s first synthetic beef hamburger
*10 イスラエルのバイオテック・スタートアップSuperMeat、ドイツの畜産食肉大手PHWなどから300万米ドルを調達——3年以内に人工鶏肉を販売へ
*11 Feb 13, 2018 A revolution in meat production?
*12 Cattle ranchers take their ‘beef’ with veggie burgers and ‘meatless meat’ to the next level
*13 Rose Flavoring and a Wine Shortage: These Are the 4 Food Trends to Watch in 2018
*14 ON APRIL 13, 2018 PHW Group to distribute Beyond Burger in Germany
*15 Fungi-Based Salmon Burger Joins the Sustainable Meat Alternative Market APRIL 23, 2018
*16 ON MAY 2, 2018 Tyson Foods leads $2.2 million seed investment in Jerusalem-based Future Meat Technologies
*17 Protein: A Chinese Perspective An on-line consumer survey conducted in China
*18 Mosa Meat secures US$8.8m investment to bring lab-grown meat to market by 2021
*19 Perdue considering non-meat protein options
*20 Greenleaf Foods Launched to Lead Plant-based Sector Oct 24, 2018, 09:35 ET
*21 Canada Is Seriously Committing $150 Million Dollars Into The Vegan Food Industry
*22 Unilever buys Dutch meat-free company The Vegetarian Butcher
*23 livestock’s long shadow
*24 Meat Substitute Market Expected to Reach $7,549 Million, Globally, by 2025
*25 2018年3月8日Plant-Based Food～植物性食新時代～発表会&試食会
*26 Vegan sushi goes global with help of Japanese food wholesaler Japanese company to pitch tuna and eel alternatives to health-conscious MAY 14, 2018 11:45 JST
*27 Oxford Farming Conference 2019 address by the Environment Secretary
*28 細胞培養肉を開発の米新興企業　アジアでの事業に将来性 1/13(日) 16:00配信
*29 White Paper Meat: the Future series Alternative Proteins January 2019
*30 DeAndre Jordan, Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul Invest In Plant-Based Food Company Beyond Meat
*31 調査・報告　畜産の情報2019年3月号 EU農畜産業の展望　～2018年EU農業アウトルック会議から～
*32 Motif Ingredients Raises $90m Series A to Engineer Alternative Proteins in Ginkgo Bioworks Spin-Out FEBRUARY 26, 2019
*33 https://www.newprotein.org/maps
*34 PERCEPTION OF BELGIAN PEOPLE REGARDING CELL BASED MEAT © 2019 Ipsos. All rights reserved. Contains Ipsos’ Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be disclosed or reproduced without the prior written consent of Ipsos.
*35 A cross-country survey on the appeal of plant-based and clean meat in China, India, and the USA Contributors: Christopher Bryant Keri Szejda Varun Deshpande Nishant Parekh Brian Tse Date created: 2018-08-31
*36 Clara Foods Secures Series B Financing Led By Ingredion, Fast-Tracking Animal-Free Protein Development
*37 Clean meat programme gets Central govt funding
*38 Impossible Foods Announces $300 Million Funding Round to Accelerate Scaleup
*39 This Animal Activist Used to Get in Your Face. Now He’s Going After Your Palate.
*40 Tyson Foods sold its stake in alternative protein company Beyond Meat
*41 JBS launches plant-based burger line in Brazil
*42 MAY 28, 2019 UK vs US: A Look at 5 Global Lifestyle Trends
*43 2019.03.22 プレスリリース【共同発表】肉本来の食感を持つ「培養ステーキ肉」実用化への第一歩　世界初！サイコロステーキ状のウシ筋組織の作製に成功（発表主体：日清食品ホールディングス）
*44 本物そっくり「人工肉」に注目　味や抵抗感払拭に課題も産経新聞
*45 World Livestock 2011 Livestock in food security
*46 OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2018-2027
*47 肉を半分に減らさないと地球に「破滅的被害」2019.1.25
*48 KFC is considering plant-based fried chicken but has no plans to test right now, executive says PUBLISHED THU, MAY 30 2019
*49 How Will Cultured Meat and Meat Alternatives Disrupt the Agricultural and Food Industry?
*50 「代替ツナ」開発の米企業が10億円を調達、代替肉生産も支援7/2 Forbes Japan
*51 Cargill invests in cultured meat company Aleph Farms
*52 エーリック海外情報　畜産の情報　2019年8月号 EU酪農・乳業の現状と展望
*53 ダンキンドーナツ公式ツイッター　https://twitter.com/dunkindonuts/status/1154009027069825024?s=20
*54 JULY 24, 2019 Unilever, Tesco, Nestle ranked top on meat alternatives: report
Appetite for disruption: How leading food companies are responding to the alternative protein boom Engagement update, July 2019
*55 Subway is jumping on the Beyond Meat bandwagon with meatless meatball subs BY CAITLIN O’KANE AUGUST 7, 2019
*56 Smithfield Foods Launches Plant-Based Protein Portfolio Under Pure Farmland™ Brand August 12, 2019
*57 植物由来の「フライドチキン」、ケンタッキーが試験販売　米 8/27(火) 13:23配信
*58 人工肉の「鮮肉月餅」が人気、植物肉市場は「おいしい」のか 2019年9月14日 11:12　発信地：東京 [ 中国中国・台湾 ]
*59 2019.09.12 イスラエルの代替肉製造ベンチャー企業が600万ドルの資金調達に成功
*60 ADM and Marfrig Team Up to Produce Plant-based Burgers in Brazil
*61 Aussie plant meat industry set to go from $30million to $3billion, study claims By AAP 4:41pm Sep 4, 2019
*62 投資もエシカルに。ニューヨーク証券取引所に世界初「ヴィーガン」ETFが上場へ 8月 30, 2019
*63 海外情報　畜産の情報　2019年10月号米国における食肉代替食品市場の現状
*64 お肉じゃないよ。人工のお肉｢インポッシブルバーガー｣ついに発売 2019.09.24 16:05
*65 2019年5月14日植物原料バーガーの米インポッシブル・フーズが3億ドル調達
*66 McDonald’s Tests New Beyond Meat Plant-Based Burger In Canada
*67 NOVEMBER 19, 2019 Beyond Meat vs Zhenmeat: The battle for China’s meatless market
*68 特集金脈眠る未来の食、「ビーガン関連株」に大相場の気配＜株探トップ特集＞2019.7.3
*69 the new protein industry v.2.7 the plant based protein &dairy show Amsterdom August 26-28 2019
*70 Dutch startup Meatable is developing lab-grown pork and has $10 million in new financing to do it Jonathan Shieber@jshieber / 2:22 am JST • December 7, 2019
*71 Daily chart How much would giving up meat help the environment?
*72 Scientists call for renewed Paris pledges to transform agriculture
*73 2019/07/04-News release 食肉業界最大手の日本ハムと共に細胞培養肉の基盤技術開発を開始
*78 培養肉普及へ企業連合発足 9月にも政府関係者向け試食会毎日新聞 2020/01/24
*90 オイシックス、米国のミールキット宅配会社を買収、ビーガン食に特化- 2019/04/30 ダイヤモンド・リテイルメディア社
*109 細胞培養スタートアップのインテグリカルチャー、2020年度NEDO-PCAに採択され、約2.4億円の助成対象事業者に決定 JIJICOM