UK launches cell-cultivated food export roadmap
The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have published a nine-step guide to help companies export cultivated meat to non-EU markets, supporting industry growth.
The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have jointly published a nine-step roadmap to guide cell-cultivated food companies through exporting animal-origin products to non-EU markets. This guidance, part of the Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox Programme running until February 2027, aims to clarify the regulatory pathway for an emerging industry seeking to scale internationally.
The roadmap outlines a multi-step journey for exporting cell-cultivated products of animal origin from Great Britain. It is the latest output of a government-backed sandbox scheme designed to support innovative food businesses. The guidance does not guarantee market access, nor does it replace the existing export route. Its publication comes as international demand for cultivated meat grows and as the UK-EU summit approaches, where sanitary and phytosanitary negotiations are set to conclude.
Roadmap supports industry priorities and growth agenda
Dr Thomas Vincent, Deputy Director of the Sandbox and Innovation at the FSA, stated that the initiative directly addresses industry feedback. Businesses had prioritized understanding the cross-government export process. The guidance consolidates export requirements from multiple government bodies, including HM Revenue and Customs, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, into a single process map. This effort aligns with the government's growth agenda for the sector.
Practical steps for market access and compliance
Companies must navigate a series of practical steps. They must first check if the destination country is eligible and confirm that their British production establishment meets requirements. Firms must then determine if export health certification is needed, submit a customs declaration, and maintain strict temperature controls during transport. Labelling and packaging must meet local rules. A comprehensive documentation package is required.
| Step | Key Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check destination country eligibility and market access |
| 2 | Confirm GB establishment and product compliance |
| 3 | Meet destination import, marketing, and SPS rules |
| 4 | Determine need for Export Health Certification |
| 5 | Submit customs declaration to HMRC |
| 6 | Maintain cold chain temperature controls during transport |
| 7 | Ensure labelling and packaging meet local requirements |
| 8 | Prepare documentation package (traceability, hazard analysis, certificates, etc.) |
| 9 | Send documentation, maintain cold chain, and prepare for border inspections |
Final market access depends entirely on the specific import legislation and the decisions of competent authorities in each destination country. The UK has already approved two cultivated meat products for use in pet food, which falls outside FSA regulation. At least six human food applications from companies like Ivy Farm Technologies, Aleph Farms, and Mosa Meat are currently under review by the agency.
The FSA has issued a series of regulatory guidance documents for the industry since December, covering areas from hygiene and allergenicity to safety assessments of growth media. Food businesses and developers can access the complete export roadmap and all additional resources through the FSA’s Innovative Foods Guidance Hub.
