In a significant development, the future of Eat Just’s $61-million operations in Singapore has come under scrutiny following the temporary halt in the production of its cultivated chicken products reports The Straits Times.
Source: The Straits Times - SHABANA BEGUM
The company, known for its label Good Meat, has seen its Bedok facility shut down, as observed by The Straits Times during a visit on February 29. This closure marks a 'pause' in the production of the world’s first regulatory-approved cultivated meat product in Singapore, a venture that had initially garnered widespread attention.
The facility in Bedok Food City, earmarked to commence operations in the third quarter of 2023, remains closed, with Eat Just evaluating its strategic approach to production in Asia.
Huber’s Bistro, the sole restaurant offering Good Meat products, has ceased serving the cultivated chicken dishes since December 2023, citing supply issues. Despite these setbacks, there is optimism for a resumption of offerings “very soon.”
Source: Good Meat - Cultivated chicken meat sold at Hubers Butchery, Singapore
This pause in production is not isolated to the Bedok facility. A separate commercial manufacturing site previously producing for Eat Just's liquid egg production is also reportedly no longer in operation. The situation is compounded by legal and financial challenges facing the company, including a legal dispute over unpaid invoices and a significant lawsuit related to its bioreactor manufacturer.
The development is a setback for the cultivated meat industry in Singapore, which had seen Eat Just's chicken bites become the first such product to receive regulatory approval for sale in 2020. Despite the enthusiasm, the journey has been marred by production pauses and now, a complete halt at its major facilities.
Source: PFN Ai -Image visually represents the journey of the cultivated meat industry, highlighting both the initial optimism and the challenges that have emerged.
As the industry watches Eat Just’s struggles in Singapore, it clearly illustrates the pragmatic complexities of bringing cultivated meat to market. While the potential for a sustainable alternative to traditional meat production remains, overcoming the current hurdles will be crucial for the future of cultivated meat, not just for Eat Just, but for the industry at large.
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