This week’s approval for the sale of a cultivated meat ingredient is a landmark moment for Australia. It cements the country’s status as a pioneer market for food innovation.
Sydney-based cultivated (also known as cultured) meat manufacturer Vow announced on Wednesday it has received approval from Australia and New Zealand Food Ministers to sell its cultured Japanese quail ingredient. This decision follows approval from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) in April confirming the product is safe to eat.
With this decision Australia becomes the fourth country in the world to allow a cultivated meat product to be sold for human consumption – following Singapore, the United States and Israel.
The approval applies specifically to Vow’s ingredient, not to all future cultivated meat products. Importantly, as Singapore’s experience shows a defined regulatory pathway to market is a powerful catalyst for investment and innovation.
Vow’s novel foods application was submitted with FSANZ in early 2023. It has since gone through rigorous safety assessments, as well as two rounds of public consultation. Ministerial sign-off was the final regulatory hurdle in Australia. The company also received approval in Singapore in April 2024 and launched in Hong Kong six months later.
With the right settings Australia could become the next global hub for advanced food manufacturing. Australia’s proximity to Asia also positions it as a natural base for servicing the growing APAC market.
Cultivated meat is just one of many novel proteins in research and development in Australia and according to McKinsey & Company, the global cultivated meat market could be worth up to US$25B by 2030.
Congratulations Vow!