First green traffic light for a fish made of cell crops: it is the salmon of a Californian company, now considered safe for man.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the body that in the United States regulates on nutrition and drugs) has defined safe the cultivated salmon by the Californian Bio-Tech company Wildype, in a preliminary consultation for sale on the market.
It is the first time that a fish -based food made in the laboratory starting from cell cultures passes the scrutiny of the US agency that supervises food safety. So far the green light has been granted only to three types of cultivated meats, two chicken and one -based products.
How do you “cultivate” a salmon?
Wildtype cultivated salmon was considered comparable with foods produced in the traditional way, and without dangerous substances for man.
It was created starting from a single line of stem cells taken by a young silver salmon (Oncorhynchus Kisutch) in 2018 and let it multiply in large bioreattors together with a mix of amino acids, salts, sugars, fats and minerals – nutrients similar to those present in the body of a fish in flesh and blood. The cells have continued since then to grow and increase in number, and there has been no need for new cellular withdrawals from living salmon.
Cultivated cells are collected and integrated with plant components such as soy to recreate consistency and flavor of a traditional salmon fillet. The result is a growing food In a highly controlled environment It is free from pollution from Mercury (which affects salmon in nature), from antibiotics and parasites (which may affect salmon in aquaculture). And which guarantees the same contribution as Omega-3 and Omega-6, polyunsaturated fatty acids considered beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Environmental motivations
Wildtype has decided to start from salmon not only for the high nutritional and commercial value of this fish. But also because it is an essential animal for ecosystems: on his journey between oceans and rivers transfers nutrients and 137 species derive direct benefit from his presence or consumption, including bears and orche.
The company’s goal is to find an alternative way to indiscriminate fishing of key species in oceans and rivers, and to the challenges for public health posed by aquaculture (such as antimicrobial resistance and the spread of infections between animals). All in the face of a growing demand for high quality animal proteins, driven by the increase in income and urbanization.
For me a cultivated sushi, thanks!
Compared to the cultivated meats, the fish is regulated directly by the FDA and must not pass for a further inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – the process that must cross chicken, beef and pig obtained from cellular crops.
From now on, therefore, US consumers will be able to taste the salmon cultivated in a restaurant in Portland, in Oregon, but Wildype has in store the landing in four other rooms in the near future.
