Are any lab-grown meat products approved by the USDA or FDA for sale in restaurants now?

1. A regulatory one‑two: FDA said “safe,” USDA granted inspection and label approval

The U.S. regulatory pathway involved two agencies: the FDA reviewed and issued “no questions” or safety determinations for cultivated chicken from the companies (Upside Foods in November 2022; GOOD Meat in March 2023), and the USDA completed the final steps — grant of inspection and label approval — in June 2023, enabling the products to be produced and sold under federal inspection ^{[2] [3] [1]}.

2. Who got clearance and what they plan to sell first

Two California‑based companies were the first to complete the process: Upside Foods and GOOD Meat (Eat Just’s subsidiary). Both firms received the combined FDA/USDA clearances to market cultivated chicken; the companies and reporting note that initial sales are expected to begin in restaurants or with chef partners, not as immediate mass retail grocery items ^{[1] [4] [5]}.

3. Why restaurants first — production scale and inspection realities

Industry and government accounts say scale is the limiting factor: production capacity at pilot plants is small compared with conventional supply, and USDA inspection and labeling steps make restaurant launch a practical first move while companies ramp up capacity (Upside’s Emeryville plant cited as scaling from ~50,000 to a potential 400,000 lb/year in reporting) ^{[5] [2]}.

4. What the approvals actually mean — safety, not endorsement of superiority

FDA “no questions” letters and USDA inspection approvals mean the agencies determined the companies’ processes and products met safety and inspection requirements for food sold to consumers, not that cultivated meat is declared superior for nutrition, cost, or environmental impact. Sources frame the decisions as regulatory milestones that permit sale, while noting broader claims about sustainability or consumer acceptance remain matters of debate and ongoing study ^{[6] [7]}.

5. Consumer rollout, marketing and early partners

GOOD Meat had prior overseas commercial experience (Singapore) and announced chef and restaurateur partnerships for U.S. launches; Upside likewise signaled restaurant partners as an initial channel. Reporting emphasizes that the first U.S. purchases are likely to be at high‑end or partner restaurants rather than broad supermarket distribution ^{[1] [5] [7]}.

6. How the press framed the moment — “historic” but measured

Major outlets and legal/industry observers described the approvals as historic and a watershed for cultivated‑meat firms, while noting the approvals follow multi‑year regulatory engagement and do not erase technical, scale, cost, labeling, or consumer acceptance hurdles ahead ^{[6] [1] [4]}.

7. Implicit agendas and financial stakes to note

Coverage and industry statements often highlight sustainability and animal‑welfare benefits; investor interest is substantial (venture funding and prominent backers referenced in reporting). Readers should note reporting sometimes reflects company optimism and investor agendas alongside government safety findings ^{[1] [8]}.

8. Limits of available reporting — what sources do not address here

Available sources in this packet do not mention specific restaurants currently selling the products in the U.S., detailed pricing for consumer meals, nor comprehensive third‑party food‑safety audits beyond FDA/USDA actions; those details are not found in current reporting provided (not found in current reporting).

9. Bottom line for your question

Yes — as of the June 2023 regulatory milestone, USDA and FDA approvals enable Upside Foods and GOOD Meat to sell cultivated chicken in the U.S., and both companies have said they will start with restaurant channels while scaling production ^{[1] [3] [2]}.