UK – The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed plans to implement changes early next year to streamline the approval process for products like cultivated meat and precision-fermented goods.
The FSA revealed its timetable for these reforms during a board meeting on September 18, following consultation and endorsement by newly appointed government ministers.
These reforms, which apply to “regulated products” such as food flavorings, animal feed additives, and some alternative proteins, were first announced in March.
The new system will feature a public register of regulated products, replacing the current process that requires a Statutory Instrument (SI) to be passed before new items can enter the market—a step that can extend approval timelines by up to six months.
Additionally, the changes will allow the FSA to focus resources by removing the need to re-authorize products already on the market after several years.
The agency estimates that 22% of regulated product applications are reauthorizations, many of which involve animal feed. This shift is expected to benefit other sectors as well.
In a statement, the FSA noted: “Following the Board’s agreement earlier this year, the new Government has now approved two key improvements to our market authorisation process for regulated food and feed products.”
This news comes at a time when the cultivated meat market is experiencing significant growth.
Currently valued at US$272.4 million, the global market is projected to reach US$6,169.6 million by 2034, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.3% between 2028 and 2034.
Singapore became the first country to approve a cultivated meat product in 2020, when Luxury Restaurant 1880 served lab-grown chicken dishes provided by American startup Eat Just.
Today, North America and Asia-Pacific hold over 95% of the global cultured meat market share.
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