FSANZ calls for comment on cultured quail

The first cell-cultured food application to be assessed in Australia and New Zealand is cultured quail cells.

Vow Group Pty Ltd submitted the application to allow the use of cultured quail cells originating from quail as an ingredient in food products.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is now calling for the first round of two rounds of public consultation required for this application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to permit the use of cultured quail cells as a novel food.

This first call seeks views on FSANZ’s risk assessment, which focused on the first three stages of cell-based food production — cell line, method of production and cell harvest.

The assessment found that the cultured quail cell line is genetically stable and microbiological risks with cell line sourcing and harvest are very low. It also found no toxicological, nutritional safety or food allergenicity concerns associated with the consumption of the cultured quail cells.

The labelling requirements for this product were also assessed by FSANZ, which included research into consumer perceptions of cell-based food and associated terminology. The first call for submissions proposes the term “cell-cultured” be used in labelling of the product.

To have your say on the first of two rounds required, visit the A1269 Cultured Quail as a Novel Food consultation on the FSANZ Consultation Hub.

Submissions close 6 pm AEST 5 February 2024.

Image credit: Vow.