The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have released the country’s first safety guidance for cultivated products derived from animal cells. This guidance, produced through the CCP Sandbox Program, ensures that businesses follow existing food safety regulations for cultivated products, define them as products of animal origin, and conduct allergenicity and nutritional assessments during the approval process.

The CCP Sandbox Program, launched last year with funding from the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, aims to accelerate the authorization process for cultivated proteins in the UK by providing detailed guidance and pre-submission consultations. Although no cultivated products have been approved for sale yet, seven companies, including Hoxton Farms and BlueNalu, are currently participating in the sandbox to develop innovative foods that meet the same safety standards as conventional products.

Consumers can expect these new cultivated foods to adhere to rigorous safety standards, thanks to the guidance provided by the CCP Sandbox Program. The program is working to streamline approval timelines, enhance regulatory knowledge of cultivated meat, and support emerging food technologies without compromising safety standards.