Regulatory Framework for Laboratory-Grown Meat

• 19 Nov 2024

For Prelims: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Plant-based Protein Products, Cultivated Protein, Zoonotic Diseases, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, Covid-19, Greenhouse Gases, Animal Cell, EU, Legume, Plant Oil, Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006, Bioreactor.  

For Mains: Regulation of laboratory-grown meat in India. Scope and challenges in adoption of laboratory-grown meat.

Source: LM

Why in News?

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning to put a regulatory framework for laboratory-grown meat, dairy, and egg products. 

• FSSAI regulates plant-based protein products, but lab-grown and fermentation-derived proteins have no clear regulations. 

What is Laboratory-Grown Meat? 

• About: Lab-grown meat is produced in laboratories using cells from living animals or fertilised eggs, rather than coming from slaughtered animals. 
  • It is also known as cultured meat or cultivated meat. 
• Production Process: 
  • Cell Extraction: The process begins by extracting cells from living animals. 
  • Growth Medium: The cells are then placed into a mixture containing amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, salts, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. 
  • Cultivation: These cells grow into larger masses, eventually forming muscle tissue that resembles traditional meat. 
• Current Market Availability: The US, the EU, Singapore and Israel have issued regulations for cultivated and fermentation-derived protein. 
• Environmental Impact: Lab-grown meat is considered to be more environmentally friendly than conventional meat production.  
  • Early studies suggest that lab-grown meat requires 45% less energy, uses 99% less land, and produces 96% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to beef.

Plant-Based Meat 

• About: Plant-based meat is a meat alternative made from plant ingredients that replicates the taste, texture, and appearance of actual animal meat (such as sausage, and chicken) without using any animal products. 
• Ingredients: Plant-based meat is made primarily from vegetables, grains, and legumes.
  • Common ingredients include protein sources like tofu, tempeh, soy, and peas, as well as plant oils (e.g., sunflower, canola) and vegan binding agents (e.g., flour, aquafaba, beans). 
• Processing: Plant-based meat manufacturers use advanced technologies like extrusion and wet texturization to enhance the texture and consistency of the product. 
  • Heat and mechanical pressure make plant products more meat-like, creating stringy or sinewy textures similar to animal meat. 

What is the Need to Regulate Laboratory-Grown Meat in India? 

• Public Health Concerns: Regulating lab-grown meat can help reduce the risks of zoonotic diseases like bird flu, swine flu, and Covid-19 by ensuring safety and quality standards. 
• Ecological Sustainability: Lab-grown meat is a sustainable alternative, using less land, water, and energy, and emitting fewer greenhouse gases.  
  • Clear regulations are needed to ensure sustainable production and maximise environmental benefits.. 
• Market Development: India has over 15 companies working on cultivated meat with several start-ups preparing to launch these products and seek regulatory approvals. 
  • Companies need clear standards for quality, labelling, and marketing of lab-grown meat to build consumer trust and ensure food safety compliance. 
• Potential for Growth: Experts said that lab-grown meat could capture 10-15% of the traditional animal meat industry's market share as younger and  more environmentally-conscious generations may show interest. 
• Ethical Considerations: Lab-grown meat, which is cultivated from animal cells without the need for slaughter, addresses growing concerns over animal cruelty in traditional meat production. 
• Global Competitiveness: As countries like the US, EU, Singapore, and Israel already have regulatory frameworks in place for cultivated and fermentation-derived proteins, India risks falling behind in this emerging industry without a clear regulatory stance.

India’s Meat Market 

• India has the world’s largest livestock population.  
  • The country is the largest producer of buffalo meat, 2nd largest producer of goat meat, and ranks 5th in poultry meat production. 
• In 2022-23, India produced around 2.1 million tonnes of cattle, 13.6 million tonnes buffaloes, 73.7 million tonnes sheep, 9.3 million tonnes pigs and 331.5 million poultry meat. 
• India's exports of animal products in 2023-24 was worth USD 4.5 billion, which included buffalo meat worth USD 3.7 billion, poultry meat worth USD 184.58 million, and sheep or goat meat of USD 77.68 million. 
•  Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has undertaken a research project to develop lab-grown fish meat.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India 

• FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006. 
• The Act of 2006, consolidates various laws related to food, such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, the Meat Food Products Order, 1973, and other acts that were previously handled by different ministries and departments. 
• FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health by regulating and supervising food safety and quality in India, operating under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. 
• The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI is appointed by the central government. The Chairperson is in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. 

What are the Challenges in Promotion of Laboratory-Grown Meat? 

• Regulatory Uncertainty: The lack of a clear regulatory framework for lab-grown meat creates uncertainty, confusing manufacturers and investors and hindering sector growth. 
  • Scaling up production to a mass level remains a significant challenge as no country has been able to scale up production at a mass scale. 
• Dietary Preferences: In India, food habits are shaped by cultural, religious, and social factors, with many avoiding both meat and meat-like products.  
  • While lab-grown meat may mimic taste and texture, it lacks equivalent nutrition. 
    • A survey revealed that 73% of Indians are protein-deficient, and over 90% are unaware of their daily protein needs. 
• Lack of Consumer Awareness: The concept of laboratory-grown meat is still relatively new in India. People who are meat eaters may give it a try but not continue it for long. 
• Environmental Impact: Lab-grown meat production is highly energy-intensive, using 4 to 25 times more energy than retail beef, raising concerns about its long-term environmental impact, especially in resource-constrained countries like India. 
• Resistance from Traditional Meat Industry: Lab-grown meat faces resistance from India’s traditional meat industry, which sees it as a threat to small-scale farmers’ livelihoods.  
  • Additionally, limited market acceptance persists as many Indian consumers prefer traditional meat for its familiar taste, texture, and affordability. 

Way Forward 

• Clear Regulatory Framework: FSSAI must prioritise the creation of regulations for laboratory-grown meat to ensure that the production of lab-grown meat aligns with national food safety standards and global best practices. 
• Consumer Awareness: Educating the public on the safety, nutritional value, and environmental impact of lab-grown meat can help shift attitudes and build confidence in the new technology. 
• Research in Biotechnology: Investing in R&D in biotechnology can reduce costs, improve nutrition, and make lab-grown meat a viable long-term alternative to traditional meat. 
• Leveraging Livestock Population: India can leverage its diverse livestock, such as buffalo, goats, and poultry, to develop lab-grown meat, creating a competitive edge and positioning itself as a key player in the global market. 
• Scale Up Production: India needs to develop infrastructure, including bioreactors and cell culture facilities, to scale up lab-grown meat production. 
  • Collaboration with global biotech firms could provide the technical expertise needed for rapid scaling.

Drishti Mains Question: 

What is laboratory-grown meat? Discuss the need for a regulatory framework for laboratory-grown meat in India.