Regulatory approval for precision fermented foods could be accelerated in the UK after the government provided funding to support their development.
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology has awarded the Food Standards Agency (FSA) £1.4m to support a new innovation hub that will develop and expand specialist expertise in regulating innovative technologies such as precision fermented foods.
Precision fermentation is a biological process through which microorganisms like yeast are used to produce useful ingredients sustainably, quickly and at low cost.
Precision fermentation techniques have long been used to create common ingredients like rennet but are increasingly being used to make alternative proteins that replicate the taste of meat and dairy products.
The Good Food Institute Europe, a think tank, says precision fermentation “has incredible potential to unlock the flavour, texture, nutrition and functionality of animal products by producing key proteins and ingredients efficiently and sustainably”.
The FSA says the new hub will protect consumers by making sure innovative foods are safe before they can be sold, as well as giving greater clarity on regulatory requirements to innovators and investors.
The hub will bring together the FSA’s existing work on novel foods and food created through genetic technology, alongside the recently launched sandbox for cell-cultivated products.
The UK Government has set regulators, including the FSA, the challenge of ensuring regulation supports and keeps pace with cutting-edge innovation. Earlier this month, HM Treasury published a policy document setting out a new approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth.
“We’re pleased to secure this additional funding to make the risk assessment of innovative products swifter, without compromising on food safety,” said Professor Susan Jebb, chair of the FSA. “There is growing interest in the potential of new technologies to increase the UK’s food security and provide affordable, healthy, and sustainable food.”
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, added: “Breakthroughs in precision fermentation have the potential to grow our economy and improve food security by reducing reliance on imports, and the Regulatory Innovation Office will help to bring innovations like these to market safely and efficiently.”
