Ensuring a clear path to market
Cultivated meat will have many benefits for people, animals, and the planet. For cultivated meat to be successful on the market, there must be an efficient regulatory path in every country. Learn how we advocate around the world for clear, efficient regulations.
Regulation around the world
FDA and USDA will jointly regulate cultivated meat in the United States
In March 2019, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a formal agreement outlining their respective regulatory roles for livestock and poultry meat: FDA will oversee the earlier stages of cultivated meat production and USDA will ensure safety in the later stages.
Since then, USDA and FDA have formed three interagency working groups on cultivated meat and have also held a joint webinar. Additionally, since FDA has sole regulatory authority over most cultivated seafood, they have released a request for information seeking input on cultivated seafood labeling.
Regulators in other countries have taken an interest in cultivated meat as well
On December 1, 2020, the lead agency for food-related matters in Singapore approved the sale of Eat Just Inc.’s chicken bites. Shiok Meats’ cultivated shrimp and Ants Innovate’s cultivated meat are also reportedly in the pipeline.
The Indian government has dedicated funding to research in cellular agriculture as part of its work to establish India as a hub for the future of protein production. GFI is also working in the European Union, Israel, and Brazil to ensure a rigorous and fair food-safety regulatory process for cultivated meat.
USDA/FDA joint webinar on cultivated meat
USDA and FDA held a joint webinar in July 2020 to discuss their roles and responsibilities for cultivated meat. The agencies gave an overview of their March 2019 Formal Agreement and discussed their plans to develop regulatory requirements for labels.
Media highlights
What’s in a name? FDA requests info on labeling of cell-cultured seafood
FoodNavigator summarizes FDA’s request for information on labeling of cultivated seafood products. FDA has sole authority over cultivated seafood, except catfish.
The first lab-grown meat for sale could come from this Singapore startup that’s re-creating shrimp
Los Angeles Times hypothesizes that because the Singaporean government has already developed regulations for cultivated meat, companies may be encouraged to debut their products in Singapore.
These $50 chicken nuggets were grown in a lab
Bloomberg discusses some challenges cultivated meat producers must overcome, one of which is the need for clear and efficient regulations before cultivated meat can come to market.
The lab-grown meat industry just got the regulatory oversight it’s been begging for
Vox summarizes the United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s March formal agreement, which outlines the joint regulatory framework for cultivated meat.
Our submissions to policymakers
GFI submits public comments to policymakers in order to advance alternative proteins strategically and with integrity.
To USDA re Harvard Law School Animal Law & Policy Clinic letter (treated as petition) on cultivated meat labeling
Re: use of cell culture technology to develop products derived from livestock and poultry
To FSIS-USDA re U.S. Cattlemen’s Association’s petition to restrict labels