Lack of regulation could slow introduction of lab-grown meat, former FDA attorney says

[A] former leading FDA attorney has warned that the speed at which companies in the cell-based meat sector are developing new products could mean they outpace the regulatory framework for such products to hit the US market place.

“The bottom line is there are many, many things that need to happen here before there is anything approximating a clear and – even remotely understandable – pathway for commercial entities to follow,” said Stuart Pape, who formerly served as associate chief counsel for food in FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel prior to his current role as chair of the Polsinelli law firm’s FDA Practice Group.

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While the FDA and USDA have made great strides in crafting a regulatory framework for cell-based meat, that dilemma could come to a head sooner, rather than later, said Pape.

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The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by FDA and USDA in March provides a basic roadmap for regulation but “raises nearly as many questions as it answers and doesn’t give much insight into the timing for the resolution of these issues,” Pape said.

Read full, original article: Food & Ag Policy Briefing: CAP set for delay, UN climate report, cell-based meat