Following the recent controversy over the Department of Defense funding research and development of cell-cultured meat, grants were rescinded as a result of vigorous opposition by legislators representing beef-producing states. The Better Meat Company that manufactures an ersatz meat product using Rhiza mycoprotein received a grant of $1.4 million. The Better Meat Company protein recently received approval under the “Generally regarded as safe” category for their fungal-derived protein.
Paul Shapiro is a shareholder in the Better Meat Company. He was previously affiliated with HSUS and was a supporter of Josh Tetrick who established a series of businesses to produce food products without using livestock or poultry.
A number of research organizations and start-ups also received Department of Defense grants including the Battelle Institute in Columbus, OH., Molecular Genetics, MA., Genomatica in San Diego, CA. among others.
This round of grants to alt meat producers and research organizations will most certainly elicit a negative response from beef-state members of Congress and some grants will in all probability be rescinded.