Regulatory Framework for Laboratory-Grown Meat | 19 Nov 2024

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.

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.

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.