By Frank Bergman<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a move that has raised serious concerns about the future of food safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lab-grown \u201csalmon\u201d for human consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new fake \u201cfish\u201d product is produced by the Jeff Bezos-funded ag-tech startup Wildtype.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s even more alarming is that this approval was based solely on the San Francisco-based company\u2019s internal safety claims, without the requirement for third-party testing, animal trials, or a full public review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wildtype is backed by heavyweights like Amazon founder\u2019s investment firm Bezos Expeditions, Cargill, and Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has now become the fourth company to receive FDA approval to sell lab-cultivated fake \u201cmeats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Wildtype\u2019s lab-grown fish is already being served in upscale restaurants, including in Portland, Oregon, the company\u2019s production methods, ingredients, and additives remain largely undisclosed, sparking concern among food safety advocates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But perhaps the most troubling part of this approval process is the FDA\u2019s reliance on Wildtype\u2019s own research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of requiring independent studies, the FDA has accepted the company\u2019s self-assessment that its lab-grown \u201csalmon\u201d is as safe as traditionally sourced fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Wildtype, the fake \u201cfish\u201d is made from real salmon cells that are grown in a lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company claims to follow a \u201chealthy growing state\u201d for the cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it remains unclear exactly what\u2019s going into the processes used to cultivate this hyperprocessed \u201cfood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Worryingly, Wildtype has used the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) loophole to get its product approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GRAS is a regulatory shortcut that was originally intended for well-known ingredients that have been consumed for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this case, Wildtype has been allowed to skip the rigorous testing typically required for new food products and instead use its own data to claim safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, these additives, such as pink coloring, antibacterial agents, and cell growth promoters, are all proprietary, meaning the public will have no clue what\u2019s really going into the \u201cfood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most concerning aspects of lab-grown meats is the potential long-term health impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows that lab-grown \u201cfoods\u201d are up to 25 times worse<\/a> for the environment than real meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The products also increase the risk of inflammation and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, Wildtype claims its product is an environmentally friendly, sustainable alternative, despite mounting evidence that lab-grown meats may actually be worse for the planet than traditional animal farming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food safety advocates are alarmed by the lack of transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Jaydee Hanson, policy director for the Center for Food Safety, pointed out<\/a>, the FDA\u2019s decision to allow the GRAS loophole for a product like lab-grown \u201csalmon\u201d is \u201coutrageous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe FDA is negligent,\u201d Hanson said, calling for the agency to develop new guidelines to properly assess the safety of these new food products, rather than relying on the company\u2019s word alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_webp,s_webp\/slaynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/jeff-bezos-lab-grown-salmon.jpg\")
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