K A S H R U T . C O M_©

July 26, 2024 from the FoodBev Media:

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"Despite existing legislation, the EU recorded 15 such cases at the beginning of 2018. However, according to data accessed by The Guardian under freedom of information laws, 50 such cases have already been recorded in Q1 of 2024.

"The data includes instances of olive oil found to be adulterated with oils of a cheaper quality and even those unsuitable for human consumption, pesticides and shards of glass.

"Paris, France-based cultivated meat start-up Gourmey has filed 'Europe's first' submission to sell its foie gras product made from cultivated duck cells.

"This EU submission is one of five simultaneously filed worldwide including Singapore, the US, UK and Switzerland. The firm filed applications with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK, the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and the European Commission (EC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

"As Gourmey does not use gene-edited or genetically modified cells, its application falls in scope of the novel food regulation. To support the application, the start-up prepared a dossier in accordance with the relevant regulations and EFSA guidance.

"Before a cultivated meat product can be sold in Europe, it needs to be approved by the European Commission. The market authorisation of cultivated meat is governed by the Novel Foods Regulation, which is one of the most robust food safety frameworks in the world.

"Once the European Commission approves a cultivated meat product, it can be sold across all 27 EU countries. The approval process will include a thorough and evidence-based assessment of the safety and nutritional value of cultivated meat and is estimated to take at least 18 months.

"During risk management and the public consultation phase of the process, it also enables the consideration of the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of the food in question. The European Commission and member states have a role in the approvals process alongside scientific experts at the European Food Safety Authority, to ensure authorisation decisions are representative and retain the buy-in of all stakeholders."