The Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has received a regulatory approval application for lab-made steak from Israel’s Aleph Farms, marking the first-ever submission for cultivated meat in Europe. Aleph Farms collaborated with Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain, Migros, who initially invested in the company in 2019.
Aleph Farms plans to distribute and commercialize its Aleph Cuts through fine dining foodservice outlets in Switzerland as part of its go-to-market strategy. Additionally, pending regulatory approvals, they also plan to launch Aleph Cuts in limited quantities through tasting experiences in Singapore and Israel later this year.
Research conducted jointly by Aleph Farms and Migros shows that 74% of Swiss consumers are curious about cultivated meat due to sustainability and animal welfare concerns.
Didier Toubia, co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms, emphasized the importance of partnerships that align with their core values and sustainability commitments. He expressed excitement about establishing cow cell as the third category of food products from cattle and working closely with Switzerland’s Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office to provide high-quality nutrition and innovative solutions.
While Switzerland progresses in regulating lab-grown meat, the European Union (EU) has yet to approve it. Seth Roberts, policy manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, highlighted the promising progress in Switzerland but urged the EU to clarify its position and develop a coherent strategy to support the sustainable protein sector.
Last month, US companies Upside Foods and Good Meat announced the start of cultivated chicken sales in the country following a four-year joint regulatory process by the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
