Regulatory frameworks for cell-based food and precision fermentation-derived products

This Legal Paper draws on existing frameworks such as the Codex Alimentarius, World Trade Organization agreements, and other agreements, to highlight gaps and challenges in regulating new food technologies. It also addresses the legal perspective on broader societal and ethical implications, particularly concerning sustainable development, human rights, and environmental sustainability. The Legal Paper explores observed approaches in regional and national legislation applicable to cell-based and precision fermentation-derived foods, highlighting that current national regulatory frameworks for food safety, particularly those addressing new food sources and production systems or genetically modified foods (where present), generally would apply to cell-based food and precision fermentation-derived products. While in some countries food safety authorities need to clarify which provisions from food legislation apply to cell-based and precision fermentation-derived products and which do not, in other countries, reforms and updates to legislation may be necessary.