Lab-Grown Milk Could Reach U.S. Stores in 2026, Raising Questions for Dairy Farmers

Dr. Bhavna Tandon, Chief Scientific Officer at Brown Foods, unveils a test-tube full of UnReal Milk — the world’s first lab-made whole cow milk, at Brown Foods’ lab in Boston, MA.

A lab-grown milk product called UnReal Milk is expected to appear on U.S. grocery shelves in 2026, developed by Boston-based startup Brown Foods. Unlike plant-based alternatives, UnReal Milk is produced from cow-derived mammalian cell cultures, designed to replicate the proteins, fats and carbohydrates found in conventional cow’s milk (Daily Mail, 2025; Brown Foods, 2025).

The milk is produced in bioreactors, allowing cells to generate whole milk without the use of live cows. Brown Foods says the process reduces environmental impact by 82 percent less carbon, 90 percent less water,and 95 percent less land compared with traditional dairy farming. The company also notes the product can be transformed into other dairy items such as butter, cheese and ice cream. Public taste trials are scheduled in 2025 ahead of broader commercial release.

Regulatory Considerations

Brown Foods plans to market UnReal Milk under generally recognized as safe (GRAS) standards, which allow companies to self-affirm the safety of ingredients without waiting for full FDA approval (Daily Mail, 2025).

The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing labeling standards for milk and other dairy products. According to the Daily Mail reporting of FDA guidance, Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has indicated the agency may begin enforcing the federal standard defining milk as the secretion from “one or more healthy cows.” The dairy alternatives market, including plant-based products such as almond and soy milk, is projected to exceed $34 billion by 2024 (Daily Mail, 2018).

The National Milk Producers Federation has voiced concern that lab-grown and plant-based alternatives may mislead consumers when labeled as milk (Daily Mail, 2018). Groups advocating for plant-based products argue that modifiers, such as almond or soy, clearly indicate the source.

Potential Impact on Dairy Farmers

UnReal Milk presents both opportunities and challenges for dairy producers. Its lab-based production could reduce environmental pressures associated with conventional dairy but may also affect market demand for traditional cow’s milk if lab-grown products gain acceptance. Some dairy farmers are concerned about pricing and competition if lab-grown milk scales efficiently.

Proponents of lab-grown milk say it is less vulnerable to drought, livestock illness and supply fluctuations. They also suggest it could provide reliable dairy sources in regions where cows cannot thrive (Daily Mail, 2025). However, long-term health studies on lab-grown milk are not yet available, leaving questions about nutritional equivalence to traditional dairy.

Scientific Validation

Brown Foods reports that independent testing at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, affiliated with MIT, confirmed UnReal Milk contains all key dairy proteins, fats and carbohydrates, including caseins and lactoglobulins (Brown Foods, 2025). Experts say the technology can be scaled to meet global demand while remaining resource-efficient.

Outlook

The introduction of UnReal Milk could spur debate on labeling, regulation and the future role of conventional dairy farming in the U.S. Farmers and industry stakeholders are likely to watch FDA guidance closely and assess how lab-grown milk may influence market trends and consumer choices.