Lab-grown food could be in shops within two years

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said that lab grown food could be sold in the UK within two years as they are committed to finishing a full safety assessment of two cell-cultivated products (CCPs).

The FSA said they have launched a “pioneering” regulatory programme for CCPs to ensure they are safe for consumers.

FSA chief scientific adviser Professor Robin May said: “Safe innovation is at the heart of this programme.

“By prioritising consumer safety and making sure new foods, like CCPs, are safe we can support growth in innovative sectors.

“Our aim is to ultimately provide consumers with a wider choice of new food, while maintaining the highest safety standards.”

Science minister Lord Vallance said: “By supporting the safe development of cell-cultivated products, we’re giving businesses the confidence to innovate and accelerating the UK’s position as a global leader in sustainable food production.

“This work will not only help bring new products to market faster, but strengthen consumer trust, supporting our Plan for Change and creating new economic opportunities across the country.”