Quotes from The Grocer, 21 May 2024
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International approvals for lab-grown meat
Next month, authorities responsible for food safety are expected to unveil a proposal for a global collaboration framework aimed at the authorization of lab-grown meat, cannabidiol (CBD) items, and edible insect products.
The Food Standards Agency has disclosed that discussions have been conducted with several nations, among them Singapore – which last year sanctioned the commercialization of lab-grown meat – in addition to Australia and New Zealand.
The intention is to introduce a flexible range of international consensus for the sanctioning or regulation of products. This would encompass these and additional product categories that are presently experiencing significant delays pending FSA authorization. The basis for this would be the established precedents set by other nations.
While the UK is actively seeking global collaboration to expedite approval processes, it has been noted by specialists that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is notably missing from the roster of partners.
In a report from March, The Grocer disclosed that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has urged members of parliament to eliminate certain regulations. These regulations are said to be responsible for a significant accumulation of at least 470 pending applications for the approval of regulated products. According to the FSA, this extensive backlog is severely hindering the ability of companies with new products to enter the market.
The discussion is underway regarding proposals to eliminate the necessity for Members of Parliament to enact a statutory instrument in the authorization procedure and to remove the obligation for decennial re-authorization concerning items such as smoke flavorings, feed additives, and genetically modified food.
It has been indicated that the current deliberations by the FSA regarding a framework for global cooperation are significantly more comprehensive than previously anticipated.
Peter Quigley, the FSA’s associate director for regulatory affairs, informed a Westminster forum that the current proposals under consideration would facilitate not only inter-country regulatory accords but also the incorporation of approvals within global trade pacts. He mentioned that the FSA intended to implement a graduated approach to global involvement.
The representative from the UK’s regulatory body highlighted their global outreach, mentioning that they have established communication with counterparts in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and other international locations.
