Hoxton Farms has announced a partnership with Sumitomo Corporation aimed at introducing Hoxton Fat, a cultivated pork fat, to the Asia-Pacific market.

The collaboration aims to address public health and food security challenges, marking a step toward the broader adoption of innovative fat alternatives in food manufacturing.

The Asian food landscape is undergoing a number of changes, driven by increasing meat consumption and shifting dietary patterns that have raised alarming obesity rates.

Recent reports indicate that over 40% of adults in the Asia-Pacific region are classified as overweight or obese, with substantial healthcare expenditures – up to 12% of total spending – attributable to obesity-related conditions.

Asia's demand for meat is anticipated to escalate by 78% by 2050, fuelled by rising incomes, urbanisation and population growth. This surge in demand has already resulted in heightened food prices and exacerbated concerns about supply chain stability, particularly in light of climate change and disease outbreaks.

For instance, the 2018 African Swine Fever epidemic led to the culling of 225 million pigs in China, representing roughly 25% of the global pig population, and incurred an economic loss of $111 billion.

As a response, both consumers and manufacturers are increasingly seeking healthier, sustainable alternatives that do not compromise on taste or culinary traditions.

Hoxton Farms, a London-based start-up, aims to meet this demand through its flagship product, Hoxton Fat. This cultivated pork fat is produced from pork stem cells and is designed to offer a healthier profile compared to traditional animal fats.

Hoxton Fat is versatile, customisable and scalable, providing food manufacturers with a drop-in solution for various applications, including soups, sauces and processed meats.

The innovation pipeline at Hoxton Farms includes ongoing research to enhance the nutritional profile of Hoxton Fat, focusing on reducing saturated fat content and increasing beneficial components such as omega-3 fatty acids. These efforts are directly aligned with addressing the public health issues associated with rising obesity rates and inadequate nutritional quality in many diets across Asia.

Before Hoxton Fat can be commercialised in Asia, it must navigate the regulatory landscape. Hoxton Farms and Sumitomo Corporation are committed to collaborating with food safety regulators and consulting with the Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture (JACA). This non-profit think tank plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and industry guidelines for the responsible implementation of cellular agriculture technologies in Japan.

JACA president Megumi Avigail Yoshitomi highlighted the partnership's potential benefits: “The collaboration between the Sumitomo Corporation and Hoxton Farms presents significant benefits for Japan, as it enables Japanese stakeholders efficient access to groundbreaking technologies, production facilities, and essential information regarding safety and taste in addressing challenges in food supply".

She continued: "We hope that this partnership will serve as a key pillar in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Japan and the UK in the field of food technology”.

Read The Cell Base's ‘Start-up spotlight' with Max Jamilly, CEO and co-founder of Hoxton Farms.

The partnership leverages Sumitomo’s extensive expertise in agri-food and supply chain management to facilitate the integration of Hoxton Fat into existing food products. Both companies are also dedicated to promoting educational initiatives that underscore the importance of cultivated fats in enhancing food quality, nutrition, and sustainability.

Max Jamilly, CEO and Co-founder of Hoxton Farms, commented: “This partnership with Sumitomo represents a huge step forward in our mission to create a deliciously fatty future. With Sumitomo’s unmatched expertise and network, now is the time to bring our cultivated fat to Asia and set a new standard for food innovation.” Takeo Kojima, head of Sumitomo Corporation’s Agri-Innovation Unit, added: “Cell-based foods are an innovative source of protein that can help address future food security challenges without the need for animal sacrifice and with a lower environmental impact".

"We see Hoxton Farms’ cultured fat as a groundbreaking ingredient that contributes not only to better taste but also to sustainability. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to accelerate R&D in Asia, including regulatory development and supply chain expansion.”

Collaborating with industry leaders, regulators and consumers, Hoxton Farms and Sumitomo Corporation are committed to building a more resilient and responsible food system that meets Asia's increasing demand for healthy, delicious and sustainable food.