Australia and New Zealand are currently engaging in a public consultation regarding an innovative food application. This consultation, initiated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), focuses on a submission from the Australian company Vow Group Pty Ltd (“Vow”). The application seeks to amend the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code (“the Code”) to gain approval for cultured quail meat in both countries.
FSANZ has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Vow’s application, which includes assessments in various areas such as microbiology, toxicology, nutrition, biotechnology, allergenicity, and dietary exposure. This initial round of public consultation is centred around FSANZ’s hazard and risk assessment and the proposed regulatory requirements. These steps are crucial in informing FSANZ’s decision on developing a measure to amend the Code.
A significant point raised by FSANZ is that the cultured quail does not fit within the current definition of “meat” in the Code. Consequently, FSANZ has recommended the introduction of a new definition for cell-cultured foods in the Code. This new definition would encompass not only the specific type of cultured quail meat proposed by Vow but also other similar cell-cultured foods that may arise in the future.
Additionally, FSANZ proposes that food labels should include the statement “cell-cultured” to aid in food identification. This move highlights Australia’s commitment to supporting innovation in the cultivated meat sector.
In terms of regulatory processes in Australia and New Zealand, the clearance of cell-based meat requires petitioning FSANZ to amend the Code. FSANZ, responsible for reviewing these petitions, may require amendments to various sections of the Code, such as those of novel foods, foods produced using gene technology, and food safety requirements.
It is noteworthy that FSANZ may also organise consultation meetings with potential applicants to provide a clearer understanding of the local regulatory and technical requirements for such applications.
Public comments on the cultured quail application are open until February 5, 2024. Following this period, FSANZ has indicated that there will be a second round of consultation on the application. This development marks a significant step in the regulatory process for cell-cultured meats in Australia and New Zealand, reflecting a growing interest in alternative and sustainable food sources.
