FSA and FSS set out first UK safety framework for cell-cultivated products

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) published the UK’s first safety guidance for cell-cultivated products, marking a formal step toward regulating foods grown from animal cells rather than conventional livestock or crops.

Released on 5 December, the guidance forms the first output of the regulators’ Cell-Cultivated Products (CCP) Sandbox Programme, which focuses specifically on products made from animal cells. While the UK already has rules governing new foods, this is the first time the agencies have clarified how those rules apply to foods created by growing animal cells into edible material, sometimes referred to as cell-cultivated meat.

A central element of the new guidance is confirmation that these products fall under the existing definition of products of animal origin. This means producers must follow the same food safety regulations that apply to conventional animal-derived foods throughout the production process. According to the FSA and FSS, the aim is to give companies a clearer path toward demonstrating that their products can be safely authorised.

The guidance also outlines expectations for allergenicity assessments and nutritional evaluation. Companies must determine whether their products pose any allergenic risk and show that the nutritional quality is appropriate as part of the UK’s pre-market approval process. This will apply to all cell-cultivated products entering the regulatory system.

Dr Thomas Vincent, Deputy Director of Innovation at the FSA, said the publication was intended to help companies navigate safety requirements with greater certainty. “Our new guidance provides clarity for businesses, helping them to understand and correctly demonstrate to UK food regulators how their products are safe. Specifically, this guidance ensures that companies have assessed potential allergenic risks and that they are nutritionally appropriate before they can be authorised for sale. Consumers can be reassured that these innovative new foods will meet the same rigorous safety standards as conventional foods. The Sandbox Programme is allowing us to fast-track regulatory knowledge to reduce barriers for emerging food technologies without compromising on safety standards.”

The guidance was developed using what the agencies described as a robust, science-based framework. It is supported by funding from the Department of Science and Technology through the Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund, which is intended to accelerate regulatory understanding of new technologies. The CCP Sandbox Programme is designed to give innovators earlier engagement with regulators, improving clarity before companies seek market authorisation.

The FSA and FSS said further guidance will follow in 2026 as they continue to build out the UK’s approach to regulating cell-cultivated products. Businesses can find additional information through the regulators’ Innovative Food Guidance Hub.