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 process
The FSA is in charge of approving cultivated meat in the UK. Even after Brexit, the UK follows the EU’s regulatory framework for novel foods. The process includes a thorough and evidence-based assessment of the safety and nutritional value of the novel meat. It is estimated to take at least 18 months.
The Telegraph says that the Food Standards Agency is considering reducing unnecessary requirements to simplify the approval process for cultivated meat companies. Moreover, The Telegraph reports that the UK Government intends to sign a bilateral agreement with Israel, a pioneering country in cultivated products, including meat, fish, fat, and cell media, to enhance cooperation in this novel food sector.
Israel’s government considers alt proteins a national priority and is home to many cultivated meat companies, including Aleph Farms, Future Meat Technologies, Steakholder Foods, and SuperMeat; however, cultivated products have yet to be approved for sale.
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