Cell-cultured quail moving closer to Australians' plates

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is undertaking the second round of public consultation on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit the use of cell-cultured quail as a food.

This is the first cell-cultured food produced in Australia and assessed by FSANZ.

The application from Vow Group Pty Ltd seeks approval to use cultured quail cells in combination with other ingredients to make products such as logs, rolls and patties.

Based on a comprehensive scientific assessment, FSANZ found no safety concerns with using cell-cultured quail as a food.

FSANZ undertook its first call for submissions (CFS) on its risk assessment in December 2023.

After further considering the evidence and all submissions received, FSANZ has modified the approach proposed at the 1st CFS.

Rather than approving cultured quail cells as a novel food, FSANZ is proposing a standards-based approach which will allow the sale of Vow’s product and any cell-cultured food that passes a pre-market assessment by FSANZ.

As part of its assessment, FSANZ recommends labelling these foods as either ‘cell-cultured’ or ‘cell-cultivated’ to help consumers make informed choices.

FSANZ has prepared two draft standards, a new schedule and various consequential variations which will apply to all future cell-cultured foods. This new standards-based approach will provide a clearer regulatory framework to support innovation.

FSANZ now invites submissions on its final assessment and the proposed measures set out in the 2nd CFS and four supporting documents.

To have your say about this application, visit the FSANZ Consultation Hub. Submissions close at 6pm (AEDT) on 24 December 2024.

Image credit: Vow Group.