Quotes from The National Law Review, April 15, 2024
By: L. Christine Lawson Of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP – Law Meets Science
The United States Department of Agriculture has sanctioned the use of the term “cell-cultivated chicken” for the commercial distribution of chicken produced in labs. Additionally, it has conferred inspection certifications to both Upside Foods and Eat Just, also known as GOOD Meat, thereby permitting these entities to commence the sale of their lab-created chicken products to consumers.
The EU has not yet approved the sale of cell-cultivated meat. Nonetheless, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is actively laying the groundwork for their potential market entry. An EFSA representative recently clarified that lab-grown meat would fall under the category of “novel food,” necessitating a comprehensive safety evaluation by EFSA and subsequent approval from both the Member States and the European Commission. Under EU guidelines, “novel food” refers to any food product not widely consumed within the EU prior to May 15, 1997. Such products must undergo a rigorous authorization process, ensuring they are (1) safe for consumer intake, (2) accurately labeled to prevent consumer deception, and (3) nutritionally comparable to the food they might replace, preventing any nutritional disadvantages for the consumer.
Cultivated B, based in Germany, recently initiated the preliminary steps with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for a new sausage-like product made from plant-based components and lab-grown meat. This initial phase allows Cultivated B to consult with the EFSA on the regulatory requirements and necessary documentation for their forthcoming application. The EFSA advises entities to request pre-submission consultations at least half a year prior to their intended application date. Following the submission, the review process may extend over several months. Cultivated B acknowledges the EFSA’s stringent Novel Food authorization procedure, which is recognized for its comprehensive, evidence-driven evaluation of food safety and nutritional adequacy. Cultivated B anticipates that securing EU authorization will establish a foundation for subsequent approvals in additional markets.
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