Earlier this year, Vow Foods became the first company to receive regulatory approval for its cultivated meat in Australia. Now, the country’s government-administered National Measurement Institute (NMI) has revealed the role it played in helping to bring cultivated meat to market.
To gain regulatory approval, Vow had to meet strict requirements, which included completing complex safety assessments and regulatory processes to adhere to food standards codes. The company was also required to produce in-depth reports providing scientific proof of the safety, quality, and consistency of its products.
NMI assisted by providing expert testing and regulatory support, including specialised analysis to reduce risk and accelerate market entry. The institute developed rigorous measurement methods designed for cultivated meat samples, providing Vow with the data required to meet regulatory standards.
“The data generated by NMI forms the backbone of our compositional analysis and safety framework,” said Naya McCartney, Regulatory Safety Scientist at Vow Foods. “The reports are included in our dossier submissions, providing regulators with the critical data they need to assess our products.”
“Highly valuable service”
The collaboration has had a positive outcome for Vow — the company’s products can now be sold in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Demand has reportedly risen by 200% each month since May, and Vow’s cultivated meat features on high-end restaurant menus in Australia and Singapore. The company also recently introduced Smoked Cultured Quail Spread, which is said to be Australia’s first cultivated meat product designed for home consumption.
NMI’s goal is to advance Australia’s food technology sector, helping local companies get innovative products to market and navigate complex international regulatory landscapes. Through testing data and verification, the institute helps to turn prototypes into market-ready products.
“We trust the NMI to produce reliable and fast test results so that we can release products to consumers in a safe and timely manner,” said Ed Henderson, previously the Business Operations Lead at Vow Foods. “The NMI offers a highly valuable service to Vow. They are a great scientific partner that we love having by our side as we set out to change the world!”
