[Image of Meat. Photo Credit to Unsplash]

The United States has reached the “Meat Exhaustion Day” earlier than other countries this year.

Meat Exhaustion Day marks the point when the maximum recommended meat intake is reached based on the average daily meat consumption.

According to the guidelines set forth by the scientific EAT-Lancet Commission, which aims to promote healthy diets and food systems, countries are advised to limit their meat intake for the sake of environmental sustainability and public health.

However, the United States has surpassed its maximum annual meat consumption well before the end of the year, signaling the urgent need for alternative solutions.

Meat and dairy production, factory farming, and the overconsumption of meat are regarded as the driving forces behind this issue, and mass consumption of meat can potentially lead to a climate crisis and environmental pollution.

The phenomenon of "Meat Exhaustion Day" is not exclusive to the United States.

High-income countries, particularly those in the Global North, are leading contributors to the escalating global meat consumption crisis.

While the global "Meat Exhaustion Day" is projected to occur on June 24, 2024, many affluent nations are already surpassing their recommended meat intake quotas as early as March and April, further exacerbating concerns regarding sustainability and health.

In response to this alarming trend, cultivated meat has emerged as a promising solution.

Cultivated meat, also known as “lab-grown” or “cell-based” meat, is produced through cellular agriculture, a process in which animal cells are cultured in a laboratory environment to create meat products without the need for traditional animal husbandry.

Recognizing the potential of cultivated meat to address the challenges posed by conventional meat production, numerous companies have embarked on initiatives to develop and commercialize these innovative products.

In South Korea, a country renowned for its advancements in technology and innovation, several companies have already taken the lead in the cultivation of meat alternatives.

Notable examples include Seoul-based companies.

For example, Shinsegae Food launched the plant-based alternative meat brand “Bettermeat” in 2021, followed by the plant-based alternative food brand “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT” the following year.

Additionally, CJ CheilJedang established the Food & Nutrition Tech (FNT) business at the end of 2022 and set up the FNT Technology Research Institute to further research plant-based and cultured proteins.

In a remarkable display of mainstream acceptance, even entertainment giant Disney+ has embraced the concept of cultivated meat.

The world's third-largest streaming service is set to release a new Korean thriller series next month, titled "Cultivated," which prominently features cultivated meat as a central plot element.

A newly unveiled poster for the series underscores the significance of this novel protein in shaping the narrative and highlights the growing cultural resonance of alternative food technologies.

As the United States crosses the threshold of "Meat Exhaustion Day," it is a stark reminder of the pressing need to reconsider our food production and consumption approach.

With cultivated meat emerging as a viable and sustainable alternative, each individual must reflect on the situation and take a proactive approach toward improving our environment.