UK Releases First Guidance on Cultivated Meat, Highlighting Regulatory and Nutritional Standards
The UK has issued its first guidance for cultivated meat novel food applications, marking a significant step in the regulation of lab-grown meat products. The guidance, released by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), defines cultivated meat as a product 'of animal origin' but not classified as 'meat' under existing EU regulations. This distinction affects how these products are regulated, particularly concerning food safety and nutritional content. The guidance emphasizes the need for batch consistency, requiring manufacturers to analyze at least five representative samples to ensure uniformity. Additionally, the nutritional profile of cultivated meat must be comparable to conventional meat, with specific attention to essential nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamin B12. Manufacturers are also advised to carefully source cell lines to avoid contamination and ensure that any medications given to livestock are accounted for in the production process. 
