POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Are lab-grown eggs being sold in U.S. stores? Here are the facts
The Claim A viral video circulating on Facebook in October 2026 claimed that federally approved “lab-grown” eggs were being secretly included in products sold by major retailers like...
The Claim
A viral video circulating on Facebook in October 2026 claimed that federally approved “lab-grown” eggs were being secretly included in products sold by major retailers like Walmart and Target. The video, which was archived and shared widely, described a process where “lab-grown” eggs were produced using gene-edited mold and cloned in steel tanks, then disguised as real eggs in packaged foods. Two speakers in the video stated that these products were already on store shelves and that consumers were being deceived into eating what they called “factory fungus” or “moldy soup.” The video also featured packaging from OvoPro, an egg protein product made by The EVERY Company.
One of the key claims in the video was that brands were hiding the presence of this “lab-grown” egg protein in their ingredient lists, implying that it was being sold without proper disclosure. This led to widespread public concern about food transparency and safety. The video gained traction among users who questioned whether such products were indeed available and whether they were being marketed under misleading names. The claim was amplified by social media users who expressed distrust in food manufacturers and regulatory agencies.
The Details & Investigation
The claim centers around OvoPro, a product developed by The EVERY Company (formerly Clara Foods), which uses a process known as precision fermentation to produce animal-free egg white protein. According to the company, OvoPro is created by programming yeast (Komagataella phaffii) to produce ovalbumin, the main protein found in egg whites, through a fermentation process similar to that used in brewing beer. No animal cells or chickens are involved in the production of OvoPro, and the final product is a powdered protein that can be used in various food applications.
However, the term “lab-grown” is not entirely accurate in this context. While OvoPro is produced in a controlled environment, it does not involve growing actual animal cells, which is typically how the term is applied to products like lab-grown meat. Instead, OvoPro is a result of biotechnology and microbial fermentation, making it more akin to a synthetic protein rather than a true “lab-grown” egg. The FDA’s GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) notification for OvoPro in October 2023 indicated that the agency had no objections to its use in food products, but this was not equivalent to full FDA approval, which is typically reserved for drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Investigations revealed that OvoPro was not a new product in 2026. The company had been producing animal-free egg proteins since at least 2021, with earlier iterations like ClearEgg and EveryEgg available in the market. These products were used in smoothies, macarons, and other food items, though they were not sold directly to consumers until the launch of OvoPro in March 2026. The video claiming that Walmart and Target were selling these products was misleading, as OvoPro was only available through select retailers and not widely distributed in mainstream grocery stores at the time of the claim.
Another key point of confusion was the labeling of OvoPro. While The EVERY Company recommended that brands list the product as “egg white protein (from fermentation)” or “animal-free egg white protein,” it did not suggest that companies could omit it from ingredient lists entirely. Federal law requires that all ingredients be disclosed in descending order of weight, and there is no evidence that any brand intentionally concealed the use of OvoPro in their products. In fact, the company explicitly stated that it had never sought to exempt OvoPro from ingredient labeling requirements.
The viral claim appears to be a mix of true and false elements. While animal-free egg proteins do exist and are available in the U.S., the idea that they are being sold in secret or without proper labeling is inaccurate. The claim likely falls into the category of MISINFORMATION due to the misrepresentation of the product’s nature and the misleading implication that retailers were deliberately withholding information from consumers. However, the spread of the video may have also been influenced by disinformation tactics, as it capitalized on public fears about food technology and corporate transparency.
The Verdict
The viral claim that lab-grown eggs are being secretly sold in U.S. stores is largely FALSE. While animal-free egg white protein products like OvoPro do exist and are available to consumers, they are not “lab-grown” in the traditional sense, nor are they being sold in secret or without proper labeling. The FDA’s GRAS determination for OvoPro indicates that the product is safe for consumption, but this is not the same as FDA approval. Additionally, there is no evidence that retailers like Walmart or Target are concealing the use of OvoPro in their products, as federal law mandates clear ingredient disclosure.
The claim is primarily MISLEADING due to the misuse of the term “lab-grown” and the suggestion that brands are hiding the presence of these products. While the concept of animal-free egg proteins is legitimate and has been available since 2021, the narrative presented in the viral video exaggerates the scope and secrecy of these products. The spread of the video may have been fueled by both misinformation and disinformation, as it played on public concerns about food safety and corporate practices. However, based on verified evidence, the core claim that lab-grown eggs are being sold in secret is not supported by factual data.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
