The Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture (JACA) has published a report on the safety and regulatory framework for cultivated meat, aiming to establish standardised guidelines to ensure consumer safety and support the growth of the cell-ag industry.

The report, titled International Trends in Safety and Regulatory Assessment of Cultivated Food, emphasises several critical aspects of safety and regulation in the sector.

One of the key findings of the report is the need for robust safety evaluations. JACA emphasises that cultivated meat must undergo thorough testing to assess its safety for human consumption. This includes analysing potential biological and chemical hazards, ensuring that the production process adheres to stringent hygiene standards and verifying the absence of harmful contaminants.

By implementing rigorous safety assessments, the industry can build consumer trust and facilitate wider acceptance of cell-based meat. The report incorporates insights from global regulatory stakeholders and experts including the Singapore Food Agency, European Food Safety Authority, UK Food Standards Agency, US Food and Drug Association and Department of Agriculture and Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

The report also underscores the importance of clear labelling requirements for cultured meat products. Accurate and transparent labelling is essential to inform consumers about the nature of these products, their nutritional content and any potential allergens.

JACA advocates for labelling practices that clearly distinguish cell-based meat from conventional meat, providing consumers with the information they need to make informed choices. This transparency not only promotes consumer confidence but also supports the ethical considerations of those who choose to adopt cultivated meat for environmental or animal welfare reasons.

Additionally, the blueprint calls for transparent communication with consumers about the benefits and safety of cell-based meat. JACA suggests that public education campaigns and open dialogue with stakeholders are crucial to addressing consumer concerns and misconceptions.

By proactively engaging with the public and providing clear, evidence-based information, the industry can foster a positive perception of cultivated meat and its potential to contribute to sustainable food systems.

The report looks at the manufacturing methods and substances used in the production of cell-based foods, covering the entire production process, from cell line establishment to the use of bioreactors, scaffolding materials and growth media. It also delves into the potential hazards associated with cell-based products and the measures taken to control these hazards, examining various biological, chemical and physical risks that might arise during production and offering strategies for mitigating these risks.

In addition to safety and labelling, the report highlights the need for international collaboration in developing regulatory standards. JACA recognises that the cultivated meat industry operates on a global scale, with products and technologies crossing national borders. Therefore, harmonising regulatory approaches across countries is essential to ensure consistency and facilitate trade. The report suggests that international bodies could play a pivotal role in establishing globally recognised standards for cultivated meat.

Finally, the report calls for expert feedback to refine and adapt the proposed guidelines. Recognising the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of cellular agriculture, JACA invites input from scientists, industry leaders, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders to continuously improve the safety and regulatory framework.

This collaborative approach aims to create a robust and flexible regulatory environment that can keep pace with technological advancements and emerging challenges in the cultivated meat sector.

Megumi Avigail Yoshitomi, JACA’s representative director, said: “As the next step, JACA plans to propose safety assessment criteria for Japanese regulatory authorities that achieve both international harmonisation and optimisation under domestic regulations based on this report.”

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Top image: ©Israeli firm Forsea's cultivated Japanese unagi eel