Vow Group seeks approval for cultured quail

Vow Group has been congratulated by the Alternative Proteins Council (APC) on its application to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to approve cultured quail.

APC Executive Jennifer Thompson said Vow is breaking new ground with its development and production of cell-cultivated quail.

As a ‘novel food,’ meaning it’s not had a traditional use in our food supply, albeit similar to the conventional counterpart, Vow has submitted an application to FSANZ, seeking an amendment to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to approve the use of cultured quail as a food ingredient.

Based on safety assessments, Vow has concluded that its cultured quail is safe for human consumption.

“It is now over to FSANZ to conduct its scientific and safety assessment — a public, transparent and trusted process by the world-class regulatory authority — where all stakeholders can participate in the approval process,” Thompson said.

Access to this novel alternative to conventional quail meat is subject to approval by FSANZ.

“These are indeed exciting times for the alternative proteins market development in Australia — for exports, job creation and to feed the growing population,” Thompson said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Nikolay_Donetsk