US Agencies Endorse Lab Meat Production

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in a statement have revealed that the two bodies will share regulations on cell-cultured meats. This occurred after a meeting between the two bodies where the use of livestock and poultry in the development of lab-grown meats were discussed. 

This development came in order to maintain high standards of health and meat quality. Both bodies agreed that they had a part to play in achieving this.

According to the statement, the FDA will monitor ‘cell collection, cell banks and cell growth and differentiation, while the USDA will monitor the ‘cell harvesting stage, the production and the identification and labeling of meat products gotten from the harvested cells.’

This partnership is designed to maximize the expertise of both parties – the FDA being suited to ‘cell-culture technology’ and the USDA more acquainted with ‘livestock products in relation to human health.’

Based on this, legislation, according to the statement, was not needed.

Companies involved in the laboratory meat industry have positive things to say about this development. 

Just, a California-based firm expressed eagerness to work with the agencies, the US Cattlemen’s Association had similar feelings and the National Chicken Council through its Senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, Ashley Peterson stressed the need for consumers to keep faith in the system’s labeling of products for safety purposes, as they had done towards the 1906 Federal Meat Inspection Act.