Sustainable food habits are a buzzword in the global food industry. Over the past few years, we have seen people making a conscious shift towards healthier dietary choices, with an aim to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. That’s not all. Many scientists are constantly experimenting to revolutionise the way the world eats. One such recent revelation is of “meaty rice” grown in a small laboratory in Seoul. According to an AFP report, a team of South Korean scientists is developing a unique variety of rice by infusing protein cells into the grain, with an aim to provide the world with a more sustainable source of protein. The report further states that scientists have confirmed that no animals were harmed in the process of making this dish.
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What is ‘Meaty Rice’? How is this hybrid rice made?
This unique variety of rice is produced by embedding cultured beef cells into individual grains of rice, reports AFP. It is considered an eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable way for people to get protein. What makes it unique is its mild buttery aroma and beautiful pink colour that comes from the beef muscle and fat cells.
Talking about this innovation, the scientists told AFP that by using cultured meat, people can get animal protein “without slaughtering livestock”. Also, rice is a natural and popular source of protein for many people in Asia (and around the world).
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Is ‘meat rice’ a sustainable source of food for daily diet?
This unique rice has about eight percent more protein and seven percent more fat than a normal grain of rice. However, scientists point out that the current process of making ‘meaty rice’ is time-consuming. In fact, according to the report, it can take up to 11 days to make one portion of rice. Reportedly, scientists are working on scaling up the production process to make this dish more accessible to people.
“‘Meaty’ rice could be more profitable than some other cultured meat products because it is a hybrid dish made by combining animal cells with plant material (rice), making it cheaper and less energy intensive,” the AFP report said.
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‘Meaty Rice’?
In a small lab in Seoul, a team of South Korean scientists is injecting cultured beef cells into individual grains of rice, a process they hope could revolutionize the way the world eats. pic.twitter.com/xXbDJmNYPF
— AFP news agency (@AFP) June 17, 2024
Benefits of ‘Meaty Rice’: Why is ‘Meaty Rice’ considered an ethical food?
In addition to being high in protein and healthy fats, cultured beef cell-infused rice could also significantly reduce the carbon footprint of protein production by eliminating the need for livestock farming. Scientists estimate that for every 100 grams of protein produced, 6.27 kilograms of carbon dioxide could be emitted, which is about eight times less than conventional beef production, reports AFP.
For those unaware, South Korea has not yet approved any cultured meat for consumption, but in 2022, it has announced plans to invest millions of dollars in a “food-tech” fund, while separately identifying cell-cultured meat as a priority research area.
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