The Italian Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigidahas declared Italy the first nation free of synthetic food. With this, according to the politician, the Meloni government seeks to ban the production of both laboratory-grown meat and any other artificial food.
He assures that in this way he protects both the traditions of his country and the health of its inhabitants. It is a highly controversial measure, since cultured meat has been presented as a solution to the great climate impact of livestock. In addition, a large part of the population views it favorably because of its ability to avoid much animal suffering.
For all this, the decision to ban has generated great stir in Italy. Lollobrigida maintains that the measure is based on concern for Italy and Italians. It seeks to protect livestock, on which a part of the country’s economyand also the health. The latter is based on some inconclusive studies that point to possible dangers of eating cultured meat. However, the detractors of this government decision have shown their rejection for eliminating the option of Italians to make their own decisions. In addition, they ensure that Italy will be behind with respect to other European countries, in which this type of product begins to have more relevance.
Cultured meat and its possible advantages and disadvantages
Cultured meat is basically what the name suggests. It is made after extracting a muscle cell biopsy of the animal in question and culture them in the laboratory. Since it is only necessary to obtain a few cells, it is not necessary to sacrifice the animals. Yes, they would have to be raised, but the typical intensive livestock farms would not be necessary.
For this reason, it supposes a much lower environmental impact, with less greenhouse gas emissions, derived from animal husbandry. In addition, logically, animal cruelty is reduced.
These are the two main advantages. Next to them is the issue of health, which has generated much more controversy. On the one hand, advocates of cultured meat point out that it is safer. This is because only some cells are used, not the entire animal, which has been exposed to the outside and has been able to enter contact with more microbes. In addition, with respect to its nutritional profile, the proportion of certain nutrients. You could even replace certain saturated fats with more beneficial unsaturated ones.
On the other hand, critics of cultured meat believe that its consumption can also pose certain risks. This is because, since the cultivation techniques used are relatively new, it is not yet possible to know if production could get out of control. According to them, it would be possible that lack of control was similar to that of cells that become tumors. It is not known how the consumption of this uncontrolled meat could affect the health of humans. However, it is also true that this meat could simply be withdrawn and never reach consumers.
For this reason, in general, criticism of the production of cultured meat is positive, contrary to what is pointed out from the government of italy.
What is happening in Italy?
As explained in IFLSciencesurveys indicate that a 54% of the Italian population would be willing to try lab-grown meat.
However, if your government’s decision goes ahead, they may not, at least in your country. In fact, it is planned to impose fines of up to 60,000 euros to any company that chooses to produce this type of food. It is too large a figure to gamble.
It is important to note that as cultured meat becomes more widespread, consumers will have other meat alternatives to choose. Including the plant-based substitutes that already exist today. There are even mushrooms with great nutritional potential, which could be considered interesting substitutes.
But, in any case, it is a consumer’s decision. And that decision is what they intend to block in Italy. It will not be possible to decide, because they will not have that option. Logically, this is causing great disgust in many sectors of the Italian population. Because eliminating the decision-making capacity of the people can be very dangerous, whatever the issue.