The two major food-safety regulators in the federal government will hear from the public on Oct. 23 and 24 on how to handle cell-based meat, a technological innovation that is nearing the marketplace. The meeting announced on Monday follows suggestions by the meat processors and Memphis Meats, a leader in the nascent industry, that the administration clarify lines of authority over cell-based meat.
Ranchers contend that “meat” comes only from food-bearing animals, so products derived from cell culture technology cannot carry the label. Both FDA and USDA have claimed regulatory primacy of cell-based meat. Meatpackers and makers of lab meat agreed to use “cell-based meat and poultry” as the standard name for the product.
“Recent advances in animal cell cultured food products present many important and timely technical and regulatory considerations for the FDA and our partners at USDA,” said FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in the FDA-USDA announcement. He said science-based regulations are critical to innovation of food products. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said “as technology advances, we must consider how to inspect and regulate to ensure food safety, regardless of the production method.”
On Oct. 23, the meeting will focus on potential hazards in production of cell-based meat and the issues for federal regulators to address in the new industry. On Oct. 24, the main topic will be labeling of the foods.