regulatory approval

Roundup: The Biggest News in Cultivated Meat and Seafood from the 1st Half of 2024

August 7, 2024August 6, 2024

Although the cellular agriculture industry is traversing a consolidation phase and is facing the challenge of slower investor interest, the sector is building itself from the ground up, achieving all sorts of significant milestones — the first steps of what is set to become the fourth agricultural revolution. Here we look back on the biggest news stories in cultivated meat and seafood from H1 2024, and there have been several standout moments across different categories, as follows. Regulatory approvals France’s Gourmey became the first-ever company to apply to sell cultivated meat in the EU, marking a significant regulatory milestone. It submitted an application to EFSA for cultivated foie gras. GOOD Meat announced the world’s first retail sales of cultivated meat in Singapore, making cultivated meat available for …

Approvals

Gourmey Becomes First Company to Apply to Sell Cultivated Meat in the EU

December 12, 2024July 26, 2024

Gourmey, a French startup producing cultivated foie gras, has become the first company to apply for regulatory approval to sell cultivated meat in the European Union. The startup has also submitted applications in Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Before it goes on the market, the cultivated foie gras will need to be approved by the European Commission. Authorisation will be governed by the Novel Foods Regulation, said to be one of the most robust food safety frameworks in the world. The process is likely to take at least 18 months, and will include a thorough assessment of the safety and nutritional value of cultivated meat. The potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of the product will also be considered, with input from member …

Organisations and brands:

Gourmey

Pet Food

Noochies! Takes First Regulatory Steps to Launch a Cultivated Chicken Product for Dogs in the USA

July 30, 2024July 19, 2024

Canada’s CULT Food Science (“CULT” or the “Company”) (CSE: CULT) (OTC: CULTF) (FRA: LN0) announces that its subsidiary, Further Foods, the company behind the pet food brand Noochies!, will submit a feeding trial protocol for a cultivated chicken ingredient to the FDA later this month. Noochies!, a brand leveraging alternative proteins to avoid factory-farmed chicken and beef, has already introduced two unique products featuring a dried yeast protein developed by CULT Food Science to meet pets’ daily nutritional requirements: Freeze-Dried Dog and Cat Snacks. The brand has plans to formulate new Noochies! with cultivated chicken. The feeding trials, necessary for regulatory approval as cultivated chicken is a new ingredient that pets have never consumed, are planned to commence in Q4 of this year. This is contingent …

Organisations and brands:

CULT Food Science

Noochies!

Meatly's cultivated chicken for pets approved for sale in the UK, first products to hit shelves this year.

Image courtesy of Meatly

Meatly’s Cultivated Chicken for Pets Approved for Sale in the UK, First Products to Hit Shelves This Year

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024

The UK’s Meatly, previously Good Dog Food, announces that it has received regulatory clearance from relevant UK Government departments to produce and sell cultivated meat for pet food, making it the first company in the country to obtain such authorization. The company explains that its cultivated chicken has undergone extensive testing and has been confirmed free from bacteria, viruses, GMOs, antibiotics, harmful pathogens, heavy metals, and other impurities. Its production facility has also been approved to produce and handle its cultivated chicken. Meatly has successfully developed and manufactured the UK’s first cultivated chicken product for cats, Omni Feast, with its first commercial partner, the plant-based pet food company Omni. With this approval, the first samples will be launched in the UK later this year, making …

Organisations and brands:

Meatly

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Mathilde Do Chi, Expert on Food Law, Part 3: Multi-Regional Approvals in Food Innovation, Or, Why Not to Put Your Eggs in the Same Basket

April 3, 2024April 2, 2024

Mathilde Do Chi is the CEO of Vegan Food Law, a food law and regulatory consultancy in global alternative protein regulations. She is an international food law and regulatory consultant with expertise in alternative proteins, novel foods, the future of food, and much more. A frequent public speaker at numerous food and foodtech conferences, Mathilde helps VCs, startups and multinationals comprehend complex food regulations, assisting the likes of Blue Horizon, Planted, and Formo with their legal matters. In this third installment of the series, Mathilde discusses how simultaneously obtaining food regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions is crucial for companies looking to efficiently enter international markets, optimize costs, and gain a competitive advantage in the global food industry. Not putting your eggs in the same basket: the importance of simultaneous food regulatory …

ministry-of-food-and-drug-safety-of-republic-of-korea

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Accepting Submissions for Cultivated Meat Approval

February 26, 2024February 23, 2024

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KFDA) has announced that it has opened an application process for the approval of cultivated meat after implementing cultivated food regulations and a framework to provide companies with guidelines. The news came after the KFDA revised and published the “Temporary Standards and Standards for Food Products,” stipulating the procedure for approving raw materials “made using technology,” such as cell and microbial cultures. Cultivated food ingredients became eligible for certification as food ingredients through the revision of the Enforcement Rules of the Food Hygiene Act in May last year. Previously, they were only allowed for R&D purposes. However, under these temporary standards, cultivated food ingredients could be approved for sale for the first time. Sam Lawrence, GFI Vice President of Policy …

Organisations and brands:

The Good Food Institute APAC

Cellular Agriculture Europe

EU Ministers Against Cultivated Meat Debate at EU Council Using Misinformation Says GFI

January 24, 2024

Yesterday, at an EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, ministers gathered to discuss cultivated meat and its potential to benefit or threaten people and the environment. A coalition of 13 agricultural ministers, rather than 12 as initially reported by Euronews, led by Austria, France, and Italy, had sent a note to the EU council urging a revision of the regulatory approval framework for cultivated meat. Supported by Czech, Cypriot, Greek, Hungarian, Luxembourg, Lithuanian, Maltese, Romanian, Slovak, and Spanish delegations, they raised concerns about the potential threat of cultivated meat to the economy, public health, and farmers while questioning its “naturalness” (fake meat) and sustainability. Austria’s Ministry of Health, which bears responsibility for food safety, has clarified that the note does not represent the stance of the Austrian government. A controversial …

Organisations and brands:

The Good Food Insitute Europe

Three different dishes of cultivated meat: beef skewers, roast beef, and chicken breast

The Good Food Insitute Europe

12 EU Agriculture Ministers Form Coalition Against Cultivated Meat

January 24, 2024January 23, 2024

A coalition of a dozen EU agriculture ministers will push for a revision of the regulatory approval framework for the authorization of cultivated meat at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council today. As reported by Euronews, Austria, France, and Italy proposed the initiative to The EU council, receiving support from the Czech, Cypriot, Greek, Hungarian, Luxembourg, Lithuanian, Maltese, Romanian, and Slovak delegations. The coalition sent a statement to the EU executive urging them to evaluate and initiate a public debate regarding the impact of cultivated meat, as they see the technology as a potential threat to the economy, public health, and farmers. The group is also looking to establish label guidelines that prohibit the names of animal products in “fake” meat and milk products. Despite Europe being …

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QUT analyses the politics of alternative proteins

Dr. Hope Johnson from the QUT School of Law. © QUT

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Australian Study Assesses Politics of Alternative Proteins as Regulators Make Moves to Approve Cultivated Meat

January 18, 2024

In light of Australia’s recent steps towards approving cultivated meat for sale, researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have analysed the Senate Inquiry into Definitions of Meat and Other Animal Products to assess the politics of alternative proteins. Led by Dr. Hope Johnson from the QUT School of Law, along with Melbourne Law School Professor Christine Parker and QUT researcher Dr. Brodie Evans, the study notes that many stakeholders were initially concerned that meat alternatives posed a threat to animal agriculture. However, they eventually concluded that alternative proteins were “not necessarily in competition with meat and dairy”. Both industries saw the labelling of meat alternatives as a key issue. The study notes a “lack of consumer complaints about the labelling of meat alternatives …

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Aleph Farms has received regulatory approval from Israel's Ministry of Health to sell its cultivated beef to the public.

Aleph Farms Receives World’s First Approval for Cultivated Beef, Petit Steak to Hit Israeli Restaurants Soon

January 17, 2024

Aleph Farms, a pioneer in Israel’s cultivated meat industry, announces regulatory approval from Israel’s Ministry of Health (MoH) through a “No Questions” letter, allowing the company to sell its cultivated beef to the public. This approval marks the world’s first approval for cultivated beef and positions Israel as the third country to approve cultivated meat products — after Singapore and the USA’s approval for cultivated chicken. It is also the first green light for cultivated meat in the Middle East. “2024 stands to be a landmark year for the advancement of regulatory pathways and commercialization of cultivated meat. With this historic regulatory approval, Israel’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has firmly cemented its leadership position in introducing world-changing innovation in a way that builds trust with consumers,” said …

Organisations and brands:

Aleph Farms

Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) announces the release of a pioneering Regulation Resource Hub to help cell ag companies streamline their food safety application process for novel foods.

Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA)

Cellular Agriculture Australia Unveils New Resources to Help Companies Streamline Food Safety Applications

December 14, 2023

Nonprofit organisation Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) announces the release of its new Regulation Resource Hub, created to help cell ag companies streamline their food safety application process for novel foods and gene technology in Australia and New Zealand. CAA’s new pay-to-access tool includes tailored online learning materials, dossier templates, and step-by-step guidance on Australia’s food safety regulation framework. While the Australian regulatory framework is well-equipped to approve novel foods, there is a lack of precedents on how companies should navigate the regulatory process, argues CAA. The resources have been developed in collaboration with leading industry partners and regulatory consultants and in consultation with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). “Australia has an opportunity to be one of the global leaders in cellular agriculture and accessible, time-efficient and cost-effective …

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Vital Meat has submitted a novel food regulatory dossier to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) seeking pre-market approval for its cultivated chicken, Vital Chicken.

Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

France’s Vital Meat Submits Pre-Market Dossier to Launch Cultivated Chicken in Singapore

December 13, 2023December 12, 2023

French cultivated meat company, Vital Meat, announces it has submitted a novel food pre-market regulatory dossier to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) seeking approval to launch its cultivated chicken, Vital Chicken, in the country. The biotech stated that Singapore‘s progressive thinking and willingness to embrace new technologies position it as an ideal market to launch its safe and delicious product. If Vital Chicken receives the SFA’s pre-market approval, Vital Meat will become the first European cultivated meat company to sell its products in Singapore — a sought-after race among biotech companies. In 2019, SFA introduced a novel food regulatory framework, requiring companies to seek pre-market allowance by submitting safety assessments for SFA’s review. Singapore, the first country to allow cultivated meat, has approved only GOOD Meat’s cultivated …

Organisations and brands:

Vital Meat

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has concluded that Vow's cultivated quail it is safe to eat.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

Australia Closer to Approve Cultivated Meat: Food Standards Concludes Vow’s Cultivated Quail is Safe to Eat

December 12, 2023

Australia and New Zealand’s alt protein think tank Food Frontier announces that the cultivated meat company Vow is closer to receiving novel foods approval to produce and sell a cultivated quail product in both countries. Earlier this year, Vow became the first Australian cultivated meat company to apply for regulatory approval. And now, after months of scientific and safety assessment of the product and its manufacturing method, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has concluded that Vow’s cultivated quail is safe to eat. FSANZ is now sharing its findings as part of the public consultation process, allowing consumers to provide feedback on Vow’s cultivated quail in the next six weeks. In its call for public submissions, FSANZ proposes several labelling requirements for cell-based products to avoid consumer …

Organisations and brands:

Food Frontier

Vow

Food Standards Agency (FSA)

UK Food Standards Agency Unveils New Guidance on Authorisation Process for Cell-Cultivated Products in Great Britain

November 29, 2023

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recently released guidance for businesses on cell-cultivated products and the authorisation process to market these products in Great Britain. The FSA is responsible for food safety and food hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, this guide is specific to England and Wales. The FSA’s new guidance combines general food law regulations with novel food and GMO regulations and offers business advice to streamline the authorisation process. It includes definitions, status, application details, and recommendations on product safety, labelling, and tasting trials. The UK government has been looking to streamline the approval for cultivated meat to boost food security and sustainability. Meanwhile, the first cultivated meat product on the market is still pending in the UK. To …

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Czech startup Bene Meat Technologies (BMT) has become the first company in the world to obtain EU Certification to produce and sell cultivated meat for pet food.

Pet Food

Bene Meat Technologies Receives First-Ever EU Approval for Cultivated Meat for Pet Food

November 21, 2023November 8, 2023

Article amendment 21st November: please refer to the situation in full as described here, with the series of events updated with further developments since this story was first published on 8th November. Czech startup Bene Meat Technologies (BMT) claims it has become the first company in the world to receive EU Certification to produce and sell cultivated meat for pet food. It was only this January that the startup announced it was developing animal cell lines to produce cultivated meat ingredients for the pet food industry. Nonetheless, today, BMT announces that it has received a license from the European Feed Materials Register to commercialise its products. This organization oversees the authorization of additives and covers for animal feed in the EU and EEA markets. …

Organisations and brands:

Bene Meat Technologies (BMT)

Image courtesy of Ivy Farm

The Good Food Institute Europe

UK Government Seeks to Accelerate Approval of Cultivated Meat to Boost Food Security and Sustainability

October 2, 2023

UK ministers and regulators are looking to accelerate the approval of cultivated meat to boost food security and sustainability, reports The Telegraph. Expediting the arrival of novel sustainable proteins to the market involves acknowledging the impact of animal agriculture on global warming, the rising costs of meat, and the growing population trend. George Freeman, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, told The Telegraph that more than traditional husbandry may be required to meet the increasing demand for meat. Approval for the first cultivated meat product is still pending in the UK. Only the Israeli company Aleph Farms has submitted a pre-market authorization dossier to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to launch cultivated beef steaks in the country. The company is also seeking regulatory approval in Europe. Streamlining the approval …

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Image courtesy of Ivy Farm

The Good Food Institute Europe

UK Government Seeks to Accelerate Approval of Cultivated Meat to Boost Food Security and Sustainability

May 24, 2024October 2, 2023

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Company News

Nature’s Fynd Receives Health Canada’s Approval to Market Alt Products Powered by the “Fungus from Yellowstone Park”

August 24, 2023August 23, 2023

Chicago-based Nature’s Fynd has received authorization from Health Canada, the federal department responsible for national health standards and policy, to commercialize its alt meat and dairy products made with a novel fungi protein called Fy. Nature’s Fynd grows its fungi protein using proprietary fermentation and a fungus called Fusarium strain flavolapis, discovered in Yellowstone Park’s geothermal springs. The novel protein is used as a whole ingredient to make animal-free foods. According to Health Canada, the product approval came after a comprehensive assessment of Fy Protein’s safety for human consumption. In the USA, Nature’s Fynd received FDA greenlight for its fungi ingredient in March 2021. Similarly, the Canadian food company Smallfood also discovered a wild microalgae strain capable of producing premium proteins through biomass fermentation. The company is …

Organisations and brands:

Nature's Fynd

Image courtesy of Aleph Farms

Company News

Aleph Farms Submits Dossier to Launch Cultivated Beef Steaks in the UK

August 4, 2023August 4, 2023

Only a few days after becoming the first company to seek regulatory approval for cultivated meat in Europe, the Israeli company Aleph Farms announces it has submitted a pre-market authorization dossier to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to launch cultivated beef steaks in the UK. The news comes just in time to celebrate tomorrow’s anniversary of the world’s first-ever cultivated beef burger, developed by Dr. Mark Post and presented in London ten years ago. Since then, the industry has achieved various milestones in bringing cultivated meat to consumers. While Aleph Farms seeks to launch Aleph Cuts in the old continent, cultivated meat has been available in Singapore since December 2020. And with recent FDA approvals, US consumers can try cultivated chicken at China Chilcano restaurant or at Bar Crenn. …

Organisations and brands:

Aleph Farms