Synthetic meat: transparency and risks to the consumer

Subject: Synthetic meat: transparency and risks to the consumer

Recent press reports have revealed that a new type of ‘meat’ is being developed from fermentation- derived microbial proteins like fungi. Generally labelled as ‘meat’, this product would exist alongside other ‘meats’ such as lab-grown or plant-based meat.

Irrespective of the technology used, these new forms of conventional meat substitutes (and the name ‘meat’ itself) are clearly liable to confuse and mislead consumers. Many questions surround the impact that these artificial products might have on human health. What is more, in the absence of a comprehensive lifecycle analysis covering the entire production process, it is not clear whether they truly are better for the environment.

In view of the emergence of these meat substitutes, which are, at the very least, confusing and deceptive, can the Commission answer the following:

1. Without prejudice to the freedom of research, what is its position on these new forms of ‘synthetic meat’, and has it performed (or is it performing) any independent studies as to how healthy these food products are?

2. How does it intend to protect consumers, including in respect of foreign imports, so that they can clearly distinguish conventional meat from these ‘alternatives’?

3. Does it have any data on the impact that these ‘meat alternatives’ might have on the production chains for conventional meat?

Submitted: 18.11.2022

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

(10 January 2023)

According to the General Food Law (1), food shall not be placed on the market if it is unsafe. Furthermore, if alternative sources of proteins fall within the scope of the novel food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 (2), they can be placed on the EU market only after a pre- market authorisation has been granted by the Commission, based on a safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). So far, no such product has been authorised on the EU market. These rules apply also to imported products.

It is a principle of the General Food Law to provide a basis for consumers to make informed choices in relation to the food they consume, and to prevent any practice that might mislead them. In the framework of rules on the hygiene of food of animal origi n (3), the term ‘meat’ is defined as being edible parts of domestic ungulates, poultry, lagomorphs, wild game or farmed game.

Moreover the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (4) has laid down provisions that prohibit the use of information that would mislead the consumer. In the absence of authorisations for these products as novel foods in the EU, such labelling provisions have not been developed.

Data on cellular agriculture and its potential impact are still scarce. There is a need for more knowledge and understanding of its ability to contribute to the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy (5) and represent a viable source of proteins. Horizon Europe, the EU’s funding programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) will look into these issues further.

For example, the project Giant Leaps (6) that started in September 2022 will study the nutritional, safety, allergenicity and environmental impact of alternative sources of food proteins.

⋅1∙ Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law,

establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety. OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1. ⋅2∙ Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of 25 November 2015 on novel foods. OJ L327, 11.12.2015, p. 1. ⋅3∙ Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.

OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55.

⋅4∙ Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending

Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004. OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18. ⋅5∙ Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, A

Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (COM/2020/381 final), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/? uri=CELEX:52020DC0381

⋅6∙ https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101059632