Focusing only on foods cultivated from animal cells, sometimes referred to as “lab-grown meat,” the first guidance clarifies that these products are considered products of animal origin, and are therefore subject to applicable existing food safety regulations during production. The guidance is designed to help businesses understand and correctly apply the requirements of UK hygiene regulations, including HACCP principles, when producing cell-cultivated products of animal origin.

More generally, related to the novel foods market authorization application process, the second guidance outlines for applicants the scientific requirements for evaluating the allergenicity and nutritional aspects of cell-cultivated products. It is intended to help ensure that companies producing cell-cultivated foods have assessed potential allergenic risks and that their products are nutritionally adequate before they can be authorized for sale.

“The sandbox program is allowing [FSA and FSS] to fast-track regulatory knowledge to reduce barriers for emerging food technologies without compromising on safety standards,” remarked Thomas Vincent, Ph.D., FSA Director of Innovation. 

Over the last year, FSA and FSS have selected industry and academic partners to collaborate and take part in the CCP sandbox program and launched a guidance hub and Business Support Service to complement the program.