French cell-based meat company Vital Meat has submitted its novel food dossier to the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

The submission marks the start of a process expected to take 18-24 months, where Vital Meat’s dossier will be assessed by experienced scientists and food safety experts from the FSA and FSS.

Vital Meat uses a non-GMO, antibiotic-free and animal component-free process, which it expects will aid in its journey to approval. The approval would enable Vital Meat to commercialise its cultured chicken in England, Wales and Scotland.

Once approved, Vital Meat’s product, Vital Chicken, will be sold as an ingredient to food companies who can add it to plant-based recipes.

Last year, Vital Meat submitted its first novel food dossier to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) with the expectation to get an approval before the end of this year.

Claude Rescan, Vital Meat’s regulatory expert, said: “We are going through the questions and answers process with scientific experts from the SFA and so far the discussion is very smooth and is going well.”

“We are very confident and are already collaborating with a Singaporean chef as well as food companies to prepare for the market launch as soon as the approval is granted," Vital Meat’s CEO, Etienne Duthoit, commented.

“The decision to expand into the UK swiftly follows our Singaporean endeavour,” Olivia de Talancé, Vital Meat’s COO, explained. “Asia and particularly Singapore is an important market for us with consumers that are open to new foods and a business ecosystem open to innovation.”

Vital Meat wanted to expand its geographical reach, settling on the UK as “British consumers' pragmatism and environmental consciousness align well with the sustainability benefits of cultivated meat,” with receptiveness to innovation and health awareness further creating a favourable environment.

Additionally, the company says that the FSA is proactive in facilitating the process, having recently launched a survey to broaden its understanding of cell-cultivated products, showing the FSA's willingness to move forward on the regulatory side.

Duthoit added: "We can’t wait to start commercialisation in the UK; chicken is one of the most consumed meats over there. We are now preparing our launch in 2025 and looking for food partners.”

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