Audio: From Cells to Steaks: How Meatable is Changing the Game

In this episode, Sharon sits down with Daan Luining, a pioneering mind in the field of cultivated meat and co-founder of Meatable. Together, they explore Dan’s fascinating journey from a researcher in cell molecular biology and tissue engineering to leading a company at the forefront of sustainable food innovation. The conversation uncovers the challenges of merging cell biology with food science, debunking industry misconceptions, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Daan shares insights into Meatable’s mission, their groundbreaking approach to producing cultivated pork fat, and the collaborative role traditional meat producers play in reshaping the industry. With a focus on transparency, innovation, and inclusivity, this episode dives deep into the future of food and the societal shifts needed to create a more sustainable and equitable world.About DaanDaan Luining is the co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Meatable, a Dutch biotechnology company pioneering the production of cultivated meat. With a background in cell molecular biology and tissue engineering, Daan was part of the team that developed the world’s first lab-grown hamburger in 2013. He later served as Research Director at New Harvest, a non-profit organization funding academic research in cellular agriculture. In 2018, Daan co-founded Meatable to create real meat without harming animals, utilizing innovative stem cell technologies to produce sustainable and delicious meat productsAbout MeatableMeatable is a Dutch biotechnology company founded in 2018 by Krijn de Nood, Daan Luining, and Mark Kotter. The company specializes in producing cultivated meat using proprietary stem cell technology, aiming to create real meat without the need for animal slaughter. Meatable’s innovative approach utilizes pluripotent stem cells, which can differentiate into various cell types, enabling the efficient production of muscle and fat cells for meat products. This method eliminates the use of fetal bovine serum, making the process more ethical and sustainable. In April 2024, Meatable became the first company in the European Union to receive regulatory approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for a public tasting of cultivated meat, specifically their sausage product. This milestone event garnered significant media attention and marked a crucial step toward bringing cultivated meat to the European market. Meatable continues to advance its mission of providing sustainable and ethical meat alternatives, focusing on scalability and market readiness to meet the growing global demand for meat products.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: Food Security and Challenges00:27 Meet Food Tech Junkies00:43 Introducing Daan Luining and Meatable01:29 Daan’s Journey into Cultivated Meat03:11 Challenges Facing Cultivated Meat04:51 Overcoming Misconceptions Through Education06:59 The Future of Sustainable Food Production13:58 Navigating Regulatory Landscapes25:32 Meatable’s Market Strategy and Innovations37:03 The Road Ahead for Cultivated Meat44:34 Reflections and Final Thoughts53:44 Closing Remarks and Call to Subscribe This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sharoncittone.substack.com