Futurology

They’re not technically kosher. Nor halal.

NOT YET

It hasn’t officially been ruled upon by either kosher or halal certification boards yet (although many Jewish and Islamic leaders have expressed differing opinions on the matter), but most lab meat growers very much hope it will be ruled as what is known as “parvere” — or neither. That is to say, since it didn’t actually come from an animal, it’s not technically meat, it has no blood, wasn’t slaughtered, etc., and, as such is considered more in line with a vegetable or other foodstuff that isn’t milk or meat.

If lab meat is considered in this way, it could clear the way for Halal certification as well as for Hindus who do not eat beef, and many others with objections to eating meat for various reasons.