FDA and USDA to share regulatory oversight of cell-cultured meat
Uma Valeti, CEO and co-founder at cell-based meat start up Memphis Meats noted that the statement “provides a clear path to market for cell-based products.
ELAINE WATSON: ‘In a statement, the FDA and USDA have proposed “a joint regulatory framework wherein FDA oversees cell collection, cell banks, and cell growth and differentiation,” with USDA to oversee the production and labeling of food products from the harvested cells. The statement – issued by FDA commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb and USDA secretary Sonny Perdue – added: “A transition from FDA to USDA oversight will occur during the cell harvest stage. USDA will then oversee the production and labeling of food products derived from the cells of livestock and poultry.” [Seafood, which is currently under the purview of the FDA, was not mentioned.] In concluding remarks that will be a huge source of relief for start-ups in the space keen to get their products to market, the pair added that the government does not believe new legislation is required to regulate cell-cultured meat (also known as cell-based meat)…
Cell-based meat companies welcomed the statement, with Lou Cooperhouse, president and CEO at ‘cellular aquaculture’ start-up BlueNalu, told FoodNavigator-USA that he was “Extremely pleased at the speed and efficiency of this announcement,” and that the “level of collaboration between the agencies was extremely impressive”… Uma Valeti, MD, CEO and co-founder at cell-based meat start up Memphis Meats noted that the statement “provides a clear path to market for cell-based products,” while the joint framework “plays to the respective strengths of both USDA and FDA, while continuing to foster innovation and assure a safe and reliable food system.” Andrew Noyes, head of communications at JUST, which is also developing cell-based meat products, added: “We commend FDA Commissioner Gottlieb and USDA Secretary Perdue for their commitment to creating a regulatory framework for cultured meat and we look forward to working with both agencies”.’ SOURCE…
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