Cultivated meat in the UK? Aleph Farms files Britain’s first cell-based steak application

04 Aug 2023 --- Aleph Farms has applied to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) to sell its cultivated beef steak, marking the first application to sell cultivated meat in the country.

“It’s great news that the UK has received its first application to sell cultivated meat. Once approved by regulators, British consumers will be able to enjoy their favorite beef dishes, made in a way that could slash climate emissions and create space for more sustainable farming,” says Seth Roberts, policy manager at the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI).

“Cultivated meat represents a huge opportunity for the UK to enhance its food security and create future-proof green jobs.” 

Last month, Aleph Farms sought in Switzerland the first application in Europe of cultivated meat. 

Calls for speeding up procedures
The FSA framework is based on UK regulations. The rigorous approval process of safety evaluation can take up to 18 months for each product.

FSA’s approval process of safety evaluation can take up to 18 months for each product.“It’s crucial that the UK stays on track with its planned reforms to the novel foods regulatory framework. Several British cultivated meat companies are making great progress but are considering launching their products overseas,” Roberts underscores.

“The Food Standards Authority should accelerate constructive conversations with industry, scientific experts and consumer groups to inform a trusted, innovative framework for sustainable proteins that enables them to deliver on their climate benefits.”

The UK and Europe lag behind the US, which food authorities granted regulatory clearance for cultivated chicken sale. Moreover, in Singapore, cultivated meat has been available since December 2020.

Nonetheless, Aleph Farms underscores the “UK leadership promoting food innovation and cellular agriculture in particular.” According to their peer-reviewed research, the business also highlights that 80% of the UK population is likely to try cultivated meat – the percentage goes up to 88% for Gen Z consumers and 84% for Millennials.

Britain is injecting £12 million (US$15 million) into a specialized hub of innovation focused on cellular agriculture.

Celebratory milestone
This Saturday (August 9) will mark the tenth anniversary since the first cell-cultured hamburger debuted.

“Peer-reviewed research shows cultivated meat could cut up to 92% less greenhouse gas emissions and up to 94% less air pollution, and use up to 66% less water and 90% less land than conventional beef. It can also be made without antibiotics, helping to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance,” explains Aleph Farms.

By Marc Cervera