The Food Standards Agency (FSA), in collaboration with Food Standards Scotland (FSS), has introduced a pilot support service aimed at assisting companies in the cell-cultivated food sector with the UK market authorisation process.
This initiative responds to the increasing number of companies working to bring cell-cultivated products to market, which include foods like cell-grown chicken fillets and beef burgers. The service is designed to provide guidance to businesses throughout the authorisation process, ensuring these products meet the necessary safety standards before reaching consumers.
Guiding safe market entry
Thomas Vincent, Deputy Director of Sandbox and Innovation at the FSA, outlined the purpose of the new service, explaining that, “The FSA’s role is to make sure all foods are safe before they are sold in UK. As cell-cultivated products are now being developed in new and innovative ways, it’s vital they continue to meet our high safety standards. This new service will help businesses understand what is needed to prove their products are safe, and guide them through the authorisation process.”
Pre- and post-submission support
The service offers both pre- and post-submission support for companies applying to the UK market authorisation process. Before submitting an application, companies can consult with the FSA/FSS team to clarify regulatory requirements, such as data collection and hazard identification. This early engagement aims to streamline the application process and reduce the likelihood of delays once applications are submitted.
After submission, businesses can receive additional guidance if their application is flagged for further information. The service provides structured support to help applicants address gaps or questions identified during the review process. This will help the FSA and FSS better understand emerging technologies and ensure a more efficient, informed risk assessment.
While the service currently focuses on cell-cultivated products, the FSA and FSS also plan to extend it to producers of precision-fermented foods, such as those using fermentation to produce cow’s milk proteins or protein powders.
Tailored to development stage
Prospective applicants seeking to utilize the service must complete a Pre-Submission Enquiry Form (PSEF1). The support is available in three tiers, depending on the product’s stage of development. Tier 1 is for products nearing market submission, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 cater to those at earlier stages of development. Tier 1 applicants will receive the most detailed support, including one-on-one meetings with the FSA/FSS team. Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants can access written guidance and, in some cases, limited meetings.
The service is designed to be flexible, with companies encouraged to engage at least six months before they plan to submit their application to ensure timely support. Further details on how to access the service, including the Pre-Submission Enquiry Form, are available on the FSA’s website.
Vincent continued, “By making it easier for companies to get things right from the start, we can support growth in the cell-cultivated product sector while giving consumers a wider choice of safe food.”
