FSANZ Approves First Cell-Cultured Food to be Marketed and Sold in Australia and New Zealand

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board has approved the first cell-cultured food. FSANZ has allowed the use of cell-cultured quail as a novel food ingredient in food products to be marketed and sold in Australia and New Zealand.

The cell-culture quail is produced by Vow Group Pty Ltd, a biotechnology company based in Sydney, Australia, which grows animal cells in culture for food use. According to the FSANZ approval report, the cultured quail cells will be combined with other ingredients to create various products, including but not limited to logs, rolls, and patties. The Vow Group advised that these products will be cooked before being sold, initially targeting high-end restaurants.

The approval process now moves on to food ministers, who have 60 days to consider the FSANZ decision. The approval follows extensive scientific assessment and two rounds of public consultation. Under the approval, cell-cultured foods will be labeled as ‘cell-cultured' or ‘cell-cultivated' to support informed consumer choice.

For more details, read the FSANZ news release.