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Beef, pork groups mostly pleased with USDA-FDA agreement to regulate lab meat

The FDA and USDA formalized their agreement to jointly oversee lab-created meat products made from the cells of livestock and poultry.

Collin Woodall with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association tells Brownfield the announcement is a very big deal because lab meat producers need to be regulated like the beef industry to make sure they don’t have a cost advantage over beef. “More importantly, having USDA engaged means that they will be able to approve the label that goes on that product so that will help us prevent the term ‘clean meat’ from being affixed to those packages.”

Dr. Dan Kovich, with the National Pork Producers Council, says the dual regulation by USDA and FDA is important. “They’ll be jointly regulating these products. I think that’s in the best interest of everyone. Producers to ensure there’s a level playing field, consumers so they’re clear that it’s a safe product and how it’s manufactured and derived.”

U.S. Cattlemen’s Association President Kenny Graner says they are pleased with language in the formal agreement, but they want a new inspection stamp created for cell-cultured products using a different format and color than what is used on real meat.

The agreement released Thursday says the FDA will oversee cell collection, cell banks, and cell growth and differentiation.  USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service will take over during the cell harvest stage and then oversee the production and labeling of products derived from the cells of livestock and poultry.

Listen to Brownfield’s full interviews with Collin Woodall and Dr. Dan Kovich here:

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