KFC announced in a press statement on July 16, 2020 that it will be developing technology to produce 3D-printed chicken nuggets.

Testing planned for lab-grown nuggets in late 2020

The global fast food chain has been working with 3D Bioprinting Solutions, a research laboratory in Russia, to develop the lab-grown nuggets.

KFC wrote in its press release that the collaborative project is aiming to create the world's first lab-grown chicken nuggets, and for the product to be "as close as possible in both taste and appearance to the original KFC product".

While the product is still in development, one can be hopeful for its release in the foreseeable future.

According to KFC, the final product has been planned for testing by late 2020, in Moscow, Russia.

More environmentally-friendly

KFC said that the 3D-printed chicken nuggets will be more environmentally-friendly than ordinary meat.

This is because the production process reproduces the "taste and texture of chicken meat" with "minimal negative impact on the environment".

Using this technology, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced 25 fold and 100 times less land will be used compared to traditional farm-based meat production, according to a study by the American Environmental Science & Technology Journal cited in the fast food chain's release.

Animals will also not be involved in this production process.

In order to recreate the original KFC chicken nugget in the lab, KFC's partner has been developing additive bioprinting technology using chicken cells and plant material.

KFC will also provide its partner with the necessary ingredients and spices to recreate the original flavour of the product.

This allows the scientists to reproduce the taste and texture of chicken meat almost without involving animals in the process, the press statement wrote.

Top image via KFC Australia