Cultivated chicken producer Upside Foods downsizes amid strategic shift

USA – California-based cultivated-chicken producer Upside Foods is laying off an undisclosed number of employees as part of a strategic realignment. 

Although the exact figure remains unconfirmed, reports from U.S. media suggest that around 26 positions are affected, including cuts within the management team.

In a recent statement, a spokesperson for Upside Foods explained, “As we navigate an unpredictable macroenvironment, we are focusing on our next phase of growth and commercialization. This requires us to make adjustments to certain programs and reduce some positions. We deeply appreciate the dedication of our departing team members and remain committed to scaling cultivated meat production globally.”

Upside Foods, along with competitor Good Meat, achieved a significant milestone in June 2023 by becoming the first U.S. companies to receive regulatory approval from the Department of Agriculture for their cultivated-meat products. 

Despite this progress, the company faces ongoing challenges. 

For instance, earlier this year, Upside Foods ended its collaboration with Bar Crenn, a San Francisco-based fine dining establishment. 

The partnership, which began in July 2023, featured monthly dinners showcasing cell-based chicken dishes created by renowned chef Dominique Crenn.

When asked about the timeline for obtaining full retail commercialization approval, an Upside Foods representative stated, “We are actively progressing through the necessary regulatory processes.”

Additionally, in February, the company announced the suspension of its plans to construct a new production facility in Illinois. 

The proposed 87,000 square-foot plant was intended to be Upside Foods’ first large-scale factory, with a projected capacity to produce millions of pounds of cultivated meat annually, potentially scaling up to over 30 million pounds in the future.