Vol. 34 | Vol. 34 (1) - 2023 | Proteins

Challenges to bringing cell-based products to market

by

Natalie E. Rainer
Partner
K&L Gates LLP, San Francisco, United States

ABSTRACT

The burgeoning field of cell-based agriculture is perhaps the most exciting and innovative food technology development in the past century. As a new technology, there remain many unknowns and challenges for cell-based agriculture to become a replacement for animal-derived foods—from government-based legal and regulatory challenges to market-based consumer challenges to industry-based competitive challenges. This article provides an overview of some of the external challenges that the industry faces at this stage, when products are finally starting to enter the market.

Introduction

Cell-based or cellular agriculture is a technology with the potential to revolutionize food by replacing farming of animals with in vitro methods. The term “cell-based agriculture” generally refers to the growing of animal cells in a bioreactor, rather than the animal itself. Terms such as “in vitro meat,” “lab-grown meat,” “cultured meat”, and “clean meat” refer to cell-based production of animal muscle cells (1). However, the technology is not limited to muscle cell growth; cell-based fats present an interesting option for inclusion in plant-based meat alternatives to create closer flavor parity to traditional meat products.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalie Rainer is a partner in the firm’s San Francisco office and a member of the Health Care and FDA practice. She focuses her practice primarily in the food and beverage industry.
Natalie practices food and drug law, advising clients on regulatory requirements for foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and food and drug packaging in jurisdictions around the world, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Natalie’s experience working in bioethics during law school and attending cooking school gives her a unique perspective on her legal practice.

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