Australia’s National Measurement Institute becomes key partner for commercialising cultivated meat

The National Measurement Institute has emerged as a critical enabler for Australia’s growing cultivated meat sector, providing the scientific testing, analytical methods and regulatory support required to bring cell-based foods to market. Its work with Sydney-based Vow Foods illustrates how independent measurement expertise can accelerate approval processes and reduce the risks associated with launching novel foods.

Cultivated meat remains subject to rigorous regulatory scrutiny because it has no long history of human consumption. Companies must generate detailed scientific data to demonstrate that their products are safe, consistent and produced to high quality standards. That includes extensive compositional analysis, toxicological reviews and demonstration that food standards codes have been met. For firms seeking approval across multiple jurisdictions, the demands multiply.

NMI’s involvement began when Vow Foods sought support to prepare its regulatory dossiers for Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The institute designed bespoke measurement methods specifically for cultivated meat samples and carried out the analytical work required to satisfy food regulators. The aim was to provide defensible, high-quality data that could be used across international submissions.

According to NMI, the partnership drew on its broader mission to provide trusted, unbiased measurement services to Australian innovators. Its scientists developed tailored analytical approaches to verify the composition and consistency of Vow’s Japanese-quail-derived products, including a cultivated foie gras, whipped parfait and edible tallow candle. The results formed part of the evidence base regulators required before granting clearance for commercial sale.

The institute’s technical teams collaborated closely with Vow’s researchers to ensure methods were fit for purpose and aligned with emerging international expectations for cultivated meat assessment. By building these measurement protocols from the ground up, NMI helped reduce uncertainty in the regulatory process and enabled Vow to progress more quickly toward launch.

Ed Henderson of Vow Foods said NMI’s contributions had been central to bringing the company’s products to consumers. “We trust the NMI to produce reliable and fast test results so that we can release product to consumers in a safe and timely manner. The NMI offers a highly valuable service to Vow. They are a great scientific partner that we love having by our side as we set out to change the world.”

Since the products reached the market, demand has grown rapidly, but NMI’s work extends beyond a single company. The institute supports a broader wave of Australian food-tech startups that require independent verification and measurement expertise before approaching regulators. Its services help translate early-stage prototypes into commercially viable, market-ready foods.

Naya McCartney, Regulatory Safety Scientist at Vow, said the quality of NMI’s data had been essential to meeting regulatory expectations. “The data generated by NMI forms the backbone of our compositional analysis and safety framework. The reports are included in our dossier submissions, providing regulators with the critical data they need to assess our products.”

As interest in novel protein production expands, NMI’s role is becoming increasingly important. Companies working with fermentation, precision biology and cell-cultivation technologies depend on specialised testing infrastructure and independent scientific validation. By providing this foundation, the institute is helping Australia position itself as a leader in next-generation foods and supporting the safe introduction of technologies that could reshape the global food system.