FDA to debate lab-grown meat

By Aidan Fortune

- Last updated on GMT

The FDA is to hold a debate on lab-grown meat next month
The FDA is to hold a debate on lab-grown meat next month

Related tags Processing and packaging Innovation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to hold a public meeting to discuss foods produced using animal cell culture technology.

The meeting will be held on 12 July 2018 and will give interested parties and the public an opportunity to comment on the emerging food technology.

The FDA is looking for input on technology used, variations in manufacturing methods, substances used and potential hazards associated with the production of this food. 

It said: "As this field continues to advance, it will be important for the FDA to provide timely information to both consumers and industry given the agency’s expertise and role in advancing food safety. The agency is committed to working with stakeholders to foster innovation while ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply.

"The FDA has extensive experience applying its existing authority flexibly and effectively to rapidly evolving areas of technological innovation such as plant biotechnology. We look forward to sharing our experiences in evaluating and ensuring the safety of novel technologies in the food sector at this upcoming public meeting, while we also discuss these issues with, and gather relevant data and information from, stakeholders.”

The FDA added that while the primary subject of the meeting will focus on food safety, the importance of other issues related to foods produced through animal cell culture technology, such as labelling, will also be addressed.

"We intend to share our initial thinking for how we intend to appropriately apply our existing regulatory tools and policies to this novel area of technology. In addition, we plan to leverage the expertise of the FDA Science Board during their regular scheduled meeting in October to further inform our efforts."

The meeting will include introductory presentations and multiple opportunities for stakeholders and members of the public to express their opinions through oral presentations. Parties who are unable to participate in person will be able to join the meeting via live webcast.

Related topics Meat

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