UK's Food Standards Agency launches regulatory program for cell-cultivated products

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced the launch of a pioneering regulatory program to assess the safety of cell-cultivated products (CCPs) before they reach consumers. Funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund, the initiative is designed to balance consumer safety with support for industry innovation.

Over the next two years, a team of scientists and regulatory experts will collaborate with academic institutions, industry leaders, and trade organizations to build a comprehensive scientific evidence base for CCPs. This research will enable the FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to efficiently assess applications, enhance guidance for businesses, and expedite approvals while maintaining the highest food safety standards.

The program’s goal is to complete the full safety assessment of two CCPs within two years, providing a structured path for companies looking to enter the UK market. The FSA Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Robin May, emphasized the program’s focus on balancing safety with industry growth:

“Safe innovation is at the heart of this program. By prioritising consumer safety and making sure new foods, like CCPs, are safe, we can support growth in innovative sectors. Our aim is to ultimately provide consumers with a wider choice of new food while maintaining the highest safety standards.”

The program is also positioned as a strategic move to strengthen the UK’s global leadership in sustainable food production. Science Minister Lord Vallance highlighted the program’s potential economic impact:

“By supporting the safe development of cell-cultivated products, we’re giving businesses the confidence to innovate and accelerating the UK’s position as a global leader in sustainable food production. This work will not only help bring new products to market faster but strengthen consumer trust, supporting our Plan for Change and creating new economic opportunities across the country.”

The FSA has selected eight CCP companies to participate in the program, representing a diverse range of technologies, processes, and ingredients from across the globe. The selected participants include Hoxton Farms, a UK-based company focused on cultivated fat technology. BlueNalu, a US company specializing in cultivated seafood, is also among the participants. Mosa Meat from the Netherlands, a pioneer in beef cultivation, is part of the program as well. France-based Gourmey, known for its cultivated poultry products, has also been selected. Roslin Technologies, another UK firm with expertise in cell-based agriculture, will contribute to the initiative. Uncommon Bio, a UK startup focusing on cultivated pork, is also part of the program. Vital Meat, a French company working on cultivated poultry, is among the selected participants. Australian-based Vow, which explores a variety of cultivated meat products, completes the lineup of participating companies.

Mosa Meat made history in 2013 by unveiling the world's first cultivated beef burger in London. “We are honoured to be one of the few included in this government funded collaborative program, and excited to contribute the knowledge of our +70 scientists toward a co-learning process that benefits the Food Standards Agency and other cultivated meat and seafood companies. These are exactly the kind of public-private partnerships we envisioned when we debuted the world’s first cultivated burger right here in London in 2013,” said Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Mark Post.

Mosa Meat has recently requested market authorisztions in the EU and Switzerland, but without the benefit of the robust presubmission engagement that is available in Singapore or the USA. The company hopes that its participation in the sandbox will provide invaluable information that can be built into the upcoming market authorization request in the UK, thereby reducing potential delays.

In addition to working closely with these companies, the FSA will engage with the broader international CCP industry, academic institutions, and trade organizations. Key academic partners include the Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub (CARMA) at the University of Bath, the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC), and the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein. Trade organizations such as The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI) and the Alternative Proteins Association (APA) will also play a role in shaping regulatory discussions.

The program’s structured approach aims to address key regulatory questions, ensuring that CCPs are rigorously tested for safety before reaching consumers. By engaging with leading stakeholders and maintaining transparency in its safety assessments, the FSA seeks to build consumer confidence in cell-cultivated food and establish a robust regulatory framework for future innovations in alternative proteins.