The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its first pre-market consultation with Upside Foods to examine human food made from cultured cells.

FDA concluded that it had “no further questions” about the way Upside produces its cell-cultured chicken. FDA stated, however, that before the food can enter the market, the facility that produces Upside’s chicken will also need to meet applicable US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FDA requirements, including facility registration for the cell culture portion.

FDA said in a statement that it is committed to working with additional businesses developing cultured meats to help bring products to market. “The FDA is ready to work with additional firms developing cultured animal cell food and production processes to ensure their products are safe and lawful under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act”.

“We also plan to issue guidance to assist firms that intend to produce human foods from cultured animal cells to prepare for pre-market consultations,” said the statement. “The published draft of this guidance will provide a formal opportunity to the public for comment. We are already engaged in discussions with multiple firms about various types of products made from cultured animal cells, including those made from seafood cells, which will be overseen solely by the FDA.”

“Our goal is to support innovation in food technologies while always maintaining as our priority the production of safe food. Human food made with cultured animal cells must meet the same stringent requirements, including safety requirements, as all other food.”

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