Global food giant BRF is partnering with Aleph Farms to launch cell-based beef in Brazil.

The two companies recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Under this agreement, they will co-develop and produce cultivated meat using Aleph’s ‘patented production platforms’.

BRF will also distribute Aleph-backed cultivated beef products in Brazil – currently one of the world’s largest beef exporter.

‘A strategic market for us’

Didier Toubia is the co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms. In a statement sent to PBN, he said he is ‘thrilled’ to be ‘joining forces’ with BRF.

“This new partnership advances Aleph Farms’ strategy to integrate into the existing ecosystem as part of our go-to-market plans,” Toubia added.

“Leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of leading food and meat companies will drive a faster scale-up of cultivated meat. And, eventually, lead to a broader positive impact.”

He then concluded: “As one of the largest beef producers in the world, Brazil is a strategic market for us. We have been impressed by the strong commitment from BRF management to innovation and sustainability.”

Lorival Luz is the CEO of BRF – one of the world’s largest food companies. He also said: “BRF is ready and charged to play a leading role in this food revolution. And, be an active participant in one the greatest industry transformations of this generation.

“Since 2014, we have witnessed an increasing global demand for new sources of protein driven by several factors, namely environmental concerns, new diets and lifestyles, which has spurred the growth of new dietary genres such as flexitarianism, vegetarianism and more.”

Aleph Farms

Last year, Aleph Farms met up with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show off its cell-based steak.

The brand’s cultivated steak is grown directly from cow cells under controlled conditions, using ‘a fraction of the resources required for raising an entire animal for meat’ without the use of antibiotics. 

Moreover, In a statement sent to PBN, Netanyahu said: “It’s delicious and guilt-free, I can’t taste the difference.

“I have directed the State Secretary Tzahi Braverman to appoint a body to serve these industries to connect and oversee all the stakeholders operating in this field.”

Netanyahu then concluded: “Israel will become a powerhouse for alternative meat and alternative protein.”

Cell-based ribeye steak

Last month, Aleph Farms unveiled what it describes as the world’s first cell-based ribeye steak. 

The company and its research partner Israel Institute of Technology cultivated the slaughter-free meat using three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology. 

According to Aleph Farms, its cultivated ribeye steak ‘is a thicker cut’ than its flagship product and it ‘incorporates muscle and fat similar to its slaughtered counterpart, boasting the same organoleptic attributes of a delicious tender, juicy ribeye steak you’d buy from the butcher’.