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UK lab-grown meat application submitted
The firm has also filed applications in Singapore, Switzerland and the USA, as well as with EU regulators.
Gourmey said it is the first firm to apply to the EU for approval to sell cultivated meat.
Before a cultivated meat product can be sold in the EU, it needs to be approved by the European Commission according to the Novel Foods Regulation. Once the European Commission approves a cultivated meat product, it can be sold across all 27 member states.
Cultivated or lab-grown meat is currently only available in Singapore and the USA, although approval processes are underway in several countries including the UK.
Commenting on the move, Gourmey CEO Nicolas Morin-Forest said: “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the regulatory authorities to ensure full compliance with safety requirements throughout these procedures. We are confident that our products will meet these highly demanding standards, so that everyone who wants to can enjoy new gourmet experiences all around the world.”
Discussing the decision to focus on foie gras, Morin-Forest added: “The premium segment has always been at the forefront of food trends, where the most exciting innovations occur. We are witnessing thrilling commercial traction for our first product in many regions where chefs want to keep serving high-quality foie gras. Starting with haute-cuisine acts as a catalyst for our future product launches, with chefs serving as the best ambassadors to introduce new product categories to consumers and drive sustainability.”
Meanwhile, Seth Roberts, senior policy manager at non-profit organisation Good Food Institute Europe, said it was fantastic to see that the first application to sell cultivated meat in the EU had been submitted.
“This demonstrates that food innovation can coexist alongside our culinary traditions, providing consumers with foie gras made in a way that could reduce environmental impacts and animal welfare concerns, support investment and provide future-proof jobs,” Roberts continued.
“Experts can now get to work, using one of the world’s most rigorous regulatory processes to assess the safety and nutritional qualities of cultivated meat.”
In other news, Diageo has reported a decline in organic operating profit during its 2024 fiscal year.
