by Mila McManus, MD
In recent years, “fake meat” products have flooded the marketplace, marketed as sustainable, cruelty-free alternatives to traditional animal products. But a closer look reveals a troubling truth: some of these so-called plant-based or lab-grown alternatives are made using animal blood derivatives and genetically engineered ingredients. This not only raises serious health and ethical concerns but also exposes loopholes in our food safety system that allow untested products onto grocery shelves.
How Fake Meat is Made with Animal Blood
One of the most controversial processes involves the use of heme, an iron-containing molecule that gives meat its characteristic flavor and color. To produce heme for fake meat, companies have turned to genetic engineering, inserting animal DNA into yeast or bacteria to create a lab-derived version of what is naturally found in blood. In some cases, fetal bovine serum—literally harvested from the blood of unborn calves—has been used as a growth medium for lab-grown cells.
While the marketing of these products suggests they are vegan or vegetarian-friendly, the truth is more complicated. If animal blood is part of the process, then these foods cannot honestly be called vegan—or even cruelty-free. This blurring of lines misleads consumers who seek to avoid animal exploitation altogether.
An Ethical Red Line
The use of animal blood in fake meat is not only a health issue, but also an ethical one. For people who choose plant-based eating out of concern for animals, being misled into eating products that rely on animal exploitation is a betrayal. True vegan and vegetarian values demand honest labeling, ethical transparency, and respect for consumer choice.
The FDA’s “GRAS” Loophole
Adding to the concern is how these products are approved. Many fake meat companies rely on the “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) loophole. This provision allows companies to self-certify the safety of new food ingredients without rigorous, independent FDA review. In other words, corporations can essentially police themselves when it comes to declaring novel lab-made additives as safe for public consumption.
Even more troubling, genetically engineered ingredients and lab-grown animal cell products are often exempt from traditional premarket safety testing. Instead of conducting long-term studies on human health, companies can enter the market with minimal oversight, leaving consumers to serve as test subjects.
Why It Matters for Your Health
We are only beginning to understand the long-term effects of consuming genetically modified yeast products, synthetic heme, and lab-grown animal cells. The lack of independent, peer-reviewed research means that questions remain unanswered about potential risks such as:
- Allergic reactions to novel proteins
- Gut microbiome disruption
- Long-term toxicity or carcinogenicity
- Unknown impacts of growth serums and genetic manipulation
Consumers deserve transparency and thorough safety testing—not a corporate experiment masquerading as a healthy, sustainable alternative.
What You Can Do
We must hold regulators accountable and demand that new, genetically engineered, or lab-grown food products undergo rigorous premarket safety testing before they reach our plates. The FDA should close loopholes that allow corporations to declare their own creations as safe without independent oversight. Consumers have the right to know what’s in their food, how it’s made, and whether it’s truly safe for long-term health. It’s time to put people before profits.
One way to use your voice and your vote is to support consumer advocate organizations, such as the Environmental Working Group (https://ewg.org) or the Organic Consumers Association (https://organicconsumers.org/). Both organizations are influential in Washington, advocating for our health. Readers who wish to comment on FDA oversight of novel foods can submit feedback via the FDA’s public comment portal at https://www.fda.gov/.
Don’t Eat Fake Meat. Be Well.
References:
Center for Food Safety. (2021). GRAS loophole: FDA fails to ensure food safety. Retrieved from https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org
https://organicconsumers.org/organic-bytes-newsletter-908-lab-grown-meats-should-be-banned/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2022). Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/generally-recognized-safe-gras
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2018). GRAS notice for soy leghemoglobin preparation derived from Pichia pastoris. GRN No. 737. https://www.fda.gov/media/111697/download
Stephens, N., et al. (2018). Bringing cultured meat to market: Technical, socio-political, and regulatory challenges. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 78, 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.04.010