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Approval for UK’s first cultivated meat submitted

Approval for UK's first cultivated meat submitted business, cell-based meat, Cultivated meat, cultured meat, Cultures, enzymes, fish and savoury ingredients, Innovation and NPD, lab-grown, meat, Sustainability, yeast Food and Beverage Business

Fresh on the heels of its announcement that Aleph farms has submitted an application to Swiss regulators to sell cultivated beef in the country, the Israeli cultivated meat company has now revealed the submission of a dossier to the UK’s Food Standards Authority. This marks the first-ever application to sell cultivated meat in Europe.

Aleph Farms intends to launch Aleph Cuts, the world’s first cultivated beef steaks, in the UK pending approval of their submission. The company emphasizes its commitment to working closely with the regulatory authority to ensure full compliance with safety requirements and building trust with UK consumers to provide them with delicious and new culinary experiences.

The Aleph Cuts brand claims to be the world’s first cultivated steak grown from the cells of premium Angus.

Under the UK regulatory process, cultivated meat products must be approved by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) before being sold in the country. The approval process includes a thorough assessment of safety and nutritional value, estimated to take at least 18 months. However, the UK Government recognizes the need for faster market access for foods with climate-mitigation potential, such as cultivated meat. The FSA has published independent recommendations to facilitate these reforms.

Supporters of cultivated meat welcome the news of the UK submission. Seth Roberts, Policy Manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, believes that once approved, British consumers will enjoy their favorite beef dishes while significantly reducing climate emissions and creating more sustainable farming opportunities. Jasmijn de Boo, CEO of ProVeg International, emphasizes the importance of the UK staying on track with planned reforms to the novel foods regulatory framework.

The introduction of legislation is crucial to ensure a more sustainable food system. The cultivation of meat presents an opportunity for the UK and Europe to adapt to evolving market demands and support the transition toward planet-friendly practices. Funding resources, like the UK Farming Innovation Fund, can assist farmers and others in the food supply chain with this transition.

Aleph Farms’ submission comes shortly after two cultivated chicken products were approved for sale in the United States and as cultivated meat has been available in Singapore since December 2020. It is noteworthy that tomorrow, August 5th, marks the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the first cultivated beef burger by Dutch scientist Dr. Mark Post.

Peer-reviewed research highlights the environmental benefits of cultivated meat, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water usage, and land consumption compared to conventional beef. Additionally, cultivated meat production can be antibiotic-free, contributing to the reduction of antimicrobial resistance. However, a recent study from the University of California, Davis suggests that lab-grown meat’s production processes may not inherently be better for the environment due to their high energy intensity.

The food and beverage industry is witnessing trends in food manufacturing, processing technology, and distribution. Innovation in sustainability, regulations, packaging, and marketing is shaping the food and drink industry. Moreover, consumer trends play a significant role in the development and growth of the food and drink sector.

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