Israel’s Aleph Farms has submitted a regulatory approval application to sell its cultivated beef products in Thailand, marking the country’s first application for a cultivated meat product.
The safety dossier was filed to the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) under the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for novel foods. While timelines can be uncertain, a novel food regulatory process can take around 18 months, which means the regulatory green light could arrive mid-2026.
“Our latest submission for a regulatory approval in Thailand marks a significant milestone in Aleph Farms’ operational roadmap for Southeast Asia”
Upon receiving approval, Aleph Farms plans to sell its flagship product, the Petit Steak, under the Aleph Cuts brand with partner and investor Thai Union, a global leader in animal protein.
Co-founder and CEO Didier Toubia shares, “Like many of its neighboring countries, Thailand currently imports the majority of its beef. Our latest submission for a regulatory approval in Thailand marks a significant milestone in Aleph Farms’ operational roadmap for Southeast Asia and the broader APAC region.
“We look forward to collaborating closely with the regulatory agencies in Thailand to help shape the regulatory landscape for novel foods and build consumer trust in this emerging category of animal products.”
The ‘kitchen of the world’
Aleph Farms has marked a significant year in regulatory efforts to bring cultivated meat to consumers. It achieved the world’s first approval for cultivated beef in Israel, followed by novel food submissions in Switzerland, the UK, and Thailand.
The company has previously stated that Thailand’s focus on novel foods and sustainability aligns well with its mission while offering a strategic position as an entry point to Asian markets. As part of its expansion strategy, the company partnered with BBGI, a manufacturer and distributor of bio-based products, and Fermbox Bio, a synthetic biology R&D company, to establish Thailand’s first cultivated meat production plant.
Additionally, the startup has been conducting workshops with chefs to align its products with local culinary preferences. Aleph Cuts, touted as the “world’s first cultivated beef steaks,” were tunned and presented to local food industry professionals in Bangkok to gather insights from experts.
“Thailand, celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene and its status as a major food production hub known as the ‘Kitchen of the World,’ is actively positioning itself for a successful transition to novel foods, Toubia adds.
Collaborating for cultivated meat
Aleph Farms, founded in 2017, has reportedly raised $140 million in funding from investors, including food giant Cargill, Thai Union, and Leonardo DiCaprio. It has also received top accolades from the World Economic Forum and the United Nations.
Yifat Gavriel, Chief of Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, and Product Safety at Aleph Farms, comments, “Prior to the submission, Aleph Farms and Thai Union spent nearly a year conducting extensive preparatory work and collaborating closely with the regulatory agencies in Thailand.
“This partnership was crucial in establishing the foundational regulatory framework needed to support this groundbreaking first submission for cultivated meat in Thailand.”
