A new type of milk, grown in laboratory bioreactors from animal cells rather than sourced from cows, could be arriving on American supermarket shelves within the next two years. Dubbed 'UnReal Milk', the product is already generating significant controversy, drawing both excitement for its environmental potential and fierce resistance from sceptics.
What is UnReal Milk and How is it Made?
The creators, a company called Brown Foods, have developed a process that uses mammalian cell cultures to produce a liquid with the same proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as conventional cow's milk. Unlike plant-based alternatives or products using precision fermentation, UnReal Milk is made by growing actual milk-producing cells from a cow in large lab tanks called bioreactors.
This method allows the cells to create the full, natural composition of whole milk without needing to blend in additional oils or sugars. The company plans to initiate public taste tests imminently and has targeted 2026 for its commercial launch in US stores.
Brown Foods is utilising a regulatory pathway that allows it to self-affirm its product's safety using ingredients 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS). This is a common strategy for new food companies seeking to avoid a multi-year wait for full FDA approval.
The Heated Public and Industry Reaction
The announcement has been met with a wave of scepticism on social media. Many users have expressed strong distrust, with some calling for the product to be banned before it goes on sale. One critic on X declared the product 'Lab grown garbage', while a board-certified family physician, Dr Kat Lindley, simply replied 'NO!' to the news.
The dairy industry has also raised objections. In 2023, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) lobbied the FDA to ban precision-fermented dairy products from using the term 'milk', arguing they are synthetic and confuse shoppers. However, UnReal Milk sidesteps this specific battle by not using precision fermentation at all.
Critics, including some nutrition experts and dairy farmers, point out the lack of long-term studies proving the lab-grown milk is as healthy as traditional cow's milk, particularly for growing children. Some have also linked the product to billionaire Bill Gates and his investments in climate-friendly food technology, though the Daily Mail reported it could not confirm Gates's backing for UnReal Milk.
The Promised Benefits: Environment and Reliability
Proponents, including the scientists at Brown Foods and those testing the product at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), champion its environmental credentials. They claim UnReal Milk is better for the planet because it cuts greenhouse gases, uses less water in production, and requires less land than traditional dairy farming.
Advocates also highlight its potential for greater reliability, suggesting it would not be affected by droughts, cattle illnesses, or major price swings caused by supply chain issues. Co-founder Sohail Gupta even told Forbes that the technology could be used to produce milk from any mammalian species, including humans, potentially helping to feed people in regions where cows cannot thrive.
As the 2026 launch date approaches, the debate around this cellular agriculture product is certain to intensify, posing significant questions about the future of food, regulation, and consumer choice.
