In a recent Future of Foods interview, Alex Crisp, spoke to CEO and founder Didier Toubia on the progress of Aleph Farms. The company, which has been at the forefront of the cultivated meat industry, now has permission in at least one jurisdiction to sell its cultivated beef (Aleph Cuts) is doubling down on efficiency, market alignment, and looking at scalability.
“Cultivated meat is a new animal protein category that is actually meeting expectations for a more sustainable, healthier, and delicious new experience,” Aleph Farms explains. “Instead of farming the whole animal, slaughtering them, and then harvesting meat from their carcass, we’re able to directly grow the developed part of the animal—the interesting products out of its whole body.”
One of the biggest milestones for the company has been securing regulatory approval, a major step in bringing cultivated meat to market. “We got the first approval, demonstrating that our technology is safe and meets the strictest food safety requirements. We expect at least one additional approval in another country in the next couple of months.”
Beyond regulation, Aleph Farms has also made tremendous strides in cutting production costs. “We just completed a two-plus-year R&D plan, reducing our production costs by an astonishing 97%. That’s a huge achievement for our team. We’re now validating this optimized process before transferring it into our pilot plant.”

Scaling up production has been another focus. The company has secured commercial agreements in Israel, Europe, and Asia, and is working with partners to establish production facilities without heavy capital expenditures. “We’re already working on an asset-light and very efficient way to scale up our process. This mitigates the financial risk of scaling up the business.”
Market strategy focus on Asia
Market strategy is key to Aleph Farms’ approach, and the company has chosen to prioritize Asia. “We decided two years ago to focus on Asia and the wider APEC region due to food security concerns. Many countries there rely on imported beef, and the acceptance of cultivated meat is as high as 70–90% in some places. The openness of the culinary scene and the focus on food safety make it an ideal launch region.”
The US is still on the radar, but for now, Aleph Farms is taking a strategic approach. “We paused efforts to launch in the US two years ago but plan to return in the next couple of years. We see it as a long-term strategic market.”
One of the company’s biggest differentiators is its cell cultivation method. “We take our cells from fertilized eggs, isolating the very first cells before they start turning into any organism. These pluripotent cells can replicate indefinitely without genetic engineering. Unlike some peers, we don’t use gene editing or immortalization. Our cells are natural, equivalent to the ones found in traditional steaks.”

On the investment front, the industry has shifted since the hype of 2021. “Investors are back to fundamentals. They want clear paths to profitability. That has pushed us to focus on launching a product that is both great and profitable. Companies that can validate market fit, demonstrate cost reductions, and drive positive margins will have more success raising capital.”
Challenges and opportunities in Europe
Looking at Europe, Aleph Farms acknowledges the challenges. “In Europe, the regulatory process is two-stage: first, EFSA assesses safety, then the PATH committee—made up of agricultural ministry representatives—approves it. You need countries representing 65% of the population to vote in favor, which introduces a political element. We started with smaller countries with simpler processes, so we could get cleared faster.”
The company notes differences in attitudes across Europe. “Southern Europe, including Italy, Romania, and parts of France, is more resistant due to traditional agriculture. But central and northern Europe—Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Nordic countries—are very supportive. There’s strong interest in sustainability and innovation.”
Aleph Farms also sees an opportunity in the Middle East. “Israel has always been at the forefront of agricultural innovation due to its limited resources. We’re backed by Israel, the UAE, and Singapore—all investing in food sovereignty. Collaboration on food security could play a role in stabilizing the region, integrating economies, and even supporting the Abraham Accords.”
The future of cultivated meat
Ultimately, Aleph Farms is playing the long game. “Food is not just functional—it’s cultural and emotional. For a product to succeed, it must be culturally relevant. Sustainability alone isn’t enough. We’re doing a lot of work to ensure our product resonates with different food cultures.”
As Aleph Farms refines its product, scales production, and navigates regulatory landscapes, the cultivated meat industry inches closer to mainstream adoption. The company’s journey highlights both the promise and the challenges of transforming the food system. One thing is certain—this isn’t just about meat; it’s about the future of food.
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