Vow Foods' Cultured Quail Receives Approval as a Food Ingredient in Australia and New Zealand

Vow Foods has achieved a significant breakthrough as its cultured quail secures approval from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to be classified as a food ingredient. This approval follows the company's submission earlier this year to assess the safety and suitability of its cultured quail. After rigorous safety investigations, FSANZ has officially declared it safe for consumption.

In a groundbreaking move, FSANZ is now opening the floor to public consultation, seeking feedback on Vow's cultured quail. This marks a pivotal moment in the evolving landscape of cultivated meat production within the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) region. Singapore led the way in 2020 by approving a cultivated meat product, with the United States following suit in June 2023. Presently, four companies are actively engaged in the cultivated meat ecosystem in ANZ.

Cultivated meat production mirrors the natural process of cellular growth within an animal. It involves extracting a small sample of cells, cultivating them in an environment with essential nutrients, ultimately yielding a final product identical to conventional meat at the cellular level.

Dr. Simon Eassom, Executive Director for Food Frontier, underscores the importance of FSANZ's thorough scientific evaluation, ensuring the safety of Vow's cultured quail as a food ingredient. This approval is seen as a crucial stride, particularly in light of global discussions at COP28, emphasizing the role of innovative food technologies in meeting the rising demand for meat without exacerbating ecological and environmental concerns.

While cultivated meat is not positioned as a substitute for conventional meat, Dr. Eassom notes that, given the expanding global population and heightened protein demand, there is ample room for both. Various countries, including Singapore, the Netherlands, the US, Israel, and the UK, are heavily investing in cultivated meat technology to bolster food security.

FSANZ has proposed specific labeling requirements for cultivated meat to ensure public confidence and acceptance. Dr. Eassom is optimistic that the success of Vow's application could position Australia and New Zealand at the forefront of this transformative era in food production.