FSA Predicts Lab-Grown Meat Could Soon Be Available on Supermarket Shelves

As noted in FSA Predicts Lab-Grown Meat Could Soon Be Available on Supermarket Shelves, the FSA has already received applications for lab-grown steak, beef, chicken, and foie gras, with an additional 15 applications expected in the next two years.

However, before these products can be launched, ensuring their safety for human consumption remains a priority. FSA chief scientific adviser, Professor Robin May, emphasized the need to rigorously assess lab-grown meat, stating, “Companies are striving to create products indistinguishable from traditional meat, but the processes used to achieve this are fundamentally different.” He added that the growth media and factors used in cultivating cells could pose risks, as some might remain in the final product. Additionally, genetic changes in the cells need to be examined for potential hazards.

Professor May underscored that consumer trust is paramount, saying, “The most important thing is that the food you buy is food you can trust. People expect us to go as far as we possibly can in terms of establishing food safety.”

The FSA’s assessment process is expected to take more than two years and will involve collaboration with academic experts and lab-grown meat brands to ensure a thorough and efficient approval system.

This development follows UK-based pet food brand Meatly becoming the first lab-grown meat brand approved in Europe earlier this year.