Lab-grown meat may soon be available in supermarkets across the UK, heralding a new era in food production.
- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has received applications for various lab-grown meats including steak and chicken.
- Ensuring the safety of lab-grown meat remains a priority before it hits the shelves.
- The FSA anticipates receiving more applications in the coming years.
- Collaboration with experts is key to establishing a safe approval process.
Lab-grown meat, also known as cultivated meat, could soon become part of the UK consumer diet as major supermarkets prepare to stock these innovative food products. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that it has already received several applications for the sale of lab-grown steak, beef, chicken, and foie gras. This development marks a significant shift in the way consumers might access and consume meat in the future.
The primary concern for the FSA is ensuring that lab-grown meat is as safe for consumption as its traditional counterparts. Professor Robin May, FSA’s chief scientific adviser, highlighted the complexities involved in achieving this. He stated, ‘Companies are obviously aiming for products indistinguishable from the animal equivalent, but the way they are achieving that is fundamentally different.’
The process of creating lab-grown meat involves complex growth media and factors to cultivate animal cells. Professor May raised concerns about potential residues of these growth substances in the final product and the possibility of genetic alterations in the cells that could pose health risks. Safety, therefore, remains a top priority in the evaluation process.
The FSA’s assessment procedure for these products is expected to take more than two years. This timeline ensures thorough examination in collaboration with academic experts and lab-grown meat companies. The aim is to establish a robust, efficient approval system that prioritises consumer safety.
Earlier this year, Meatly became the first lab-grown meat brand to be approved in Europe, setting a precedent for other companies seeking to enter the market. This milestone reflects both the opportunities and challenges associated with introducing lab-grown meat to the mainstream food supply.
With careful regulation and innovation, lab-grown meat could transform the food industry in the near future.
