The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) plans to introduce a “sliding scale” mechanism for the regulatory approval of novel foods, leveraging their international approval histories. This move aims to accelerate the process for products such as cultivated meat, precision-fermented foods, insect protein, and CBD products.
Historically, the UK has adhered to pre-Brexit EU novel food regulations. However, with the rapid global advancements in the regulation of cultivated meat, the UK seeks to remain competitive. According to the Grocer, the FSA’s new system will rely on international cooperation, potentially reducing the current two-and-a-half-year waiting period for novel food approvals.
Peter Quigley, the FSA’s deputy director of regulatory services, highlighted the agency’s ongoing discussions with counterparts in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and other nations. While specific countries were not named, Quigley emphasized the importance of a cooperative framework rather than a definitive list of partners.
EU Exclusion and Potential Collaborations
The new proposal, which will be formally announced next month, does not currently include the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) due to its complex regulatory framework. This exclusion reflects the difficulties companies face launching products in the EU, leading them to seek more favorable markets.
A source indicated that while there might be greater recognition of international approvals, EU approvals are unlikely to be included initially. This is echoed by industry leaders like Rich Dillon, CEO of Ivy Farm Technologies, who supports the FSA’s effort to align with countries possessing efficient regulatory practices, thus saving time and resources.
Impact on the UK Market and Industry
With around 470 novel food dossiers awaiting approval in the UK, the current process significantly hampers market entry for new products. The FSA’s new strategy could streamline these approvals through international agreements and inclusion in trade agreements.
The UK’s slow approval process has left it behind countries like Singapore, the US, and Israel, which have already approved cultivated meat for sale. The new mechanism could expedite the approval process, helping the UK catch up.
Broader Implications and Future Prospects
The FSA’s focus on novel food regulation is part of a broader strategy to establish the UK as a leader in alternative proteins, moving away from the pre-Brexit framework. A Green Alliance report from August suggested that with proper investment and regulation, the UK’s alternative protein sector could be worth £6.8 billion annually and create 25,000 jobs by 2035.
Recent developments include French cultivated chicken producer Vital Meat filing its dossier to the FSA and Food Standards Scotland. Vital Meat’s Camille Chevalier noted the British public’s receptiveness to sustainable and innovative food solutions, aligning with the FSA’s proactive stance.
While some companies await approval, British startup Meatly plans to launch tinned cultivated chicken for cats within months, benefiting from a shorter approval process for non-human food products.
The FSA is also streamlining its regulatory processes, including creating a public register of regulated products and removing the decade-long reapproval requirement. FSA Chair Susan Jebb emphasized the benefits of faster approvals for consumer safety and market innovation, highlighting the potential for international collaboration while maintaining the UK’s regulatory autonomy.
Industry Movements
Israel’s Aleph Farms and Dutch startup Mosa Meat are among the companies seeking UK approval for their cultivated meat products. Aleph Farms, already approved for cultivated beef in Israel, applied for UK approval in August.
As the FSA continues to refine its regulatory approach, the UK aims to foster a dynamic environment for novel food innovations, benefiting both consumers and the burgeoning alternative protein industry.
