Agronomics Limited has announced that its portfolio company, SuperMeat The Essence of Meat Ltd, has met Kosher standards for its chicken cell line. This is the first time that cultivated poultry has been recognized as meeting Kosher standards. The Orthodox Union (OU) determined that SuperMeat's product met the necessary standards. The OU oversees the kosher certification of over 1.3 million products and over 14,000 facilities in 104 countries. Following this recognition, the parties involved will examine the entire supply chain and the cultivated meat production process to establish clear guidelines for other enterprises in the cultivated meat sector. This is expected to initiate a Kosher meat certification process for the entire industry.

Agronomics has invested a total of US$12.5 million in SuperMeat and has equity ownership of 7.8% in the company. The OU's recognition came after a series of in-depth discussions and scientific reviews, focusing on avian embryogenesis and stem cells. Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher, stated that the kosher certification for cultivated meat poses a unique halachic challenge and requires innovative guidelines that mirror scientific and technological advancements.

Jim Mellon, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Agronomics, commented that SuperMeat's achievement demonstrates the cutting-edge nature of its technology and opens up a considerable global market opportunity. He also mentioned that this is another major step forward for the industry toward broad regulatory approval following FDA assent issued earlier this year. Ido Savir, CEO of SuperMeat, stated that aligning their technology with kosher dietary laws holds immense significance and represents their commitment to inclusivity and respect for diverse dietary needs.

The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States and supports various programs and initiatives. Its OU Kosher division is the world's largest and most widely recognized kosher certification agency. SuperMeat is a food-tech company that aims to supply high-quality meat grown directly from animal cells. The company's products are manufactured in a sustainable, GMO-free, and slaughter-free way. Agronomics is a venture capital firm focused on cellular agriculture and has established a portfolio of over 20 companies in this sector.