A joint public meeting to discuss the use of cell culture technology to develop products derived from livestock and poultry is set for Oct. 23-24.
The joint public meeting, hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will focus on the potential hazards, oversight considerations and labeling of cell cultured food products derived from livestock and poultry.
“This is an important opportunity to hear from the agricultural industry and consumers as we consider the regulatory framework for these new products,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said. “American farmers and ranchers feed the world, but as technology advances, we must consider how to inspect and regulate to ensure food safety, regardless of the production method.”
The first day of the meeting will focus primarily on the potential hazards that need to be controlled for the safe production of animal cell cultured food products and oversight considerations by regulatory agencies. The second day of the meeting will focus on labeling considerations.
“The FDA knows just how vital it is to ensure the safety of our nation’s food supply and the critical role science-based, modern regulatory frameworks are to fostering innovation. Recent advances in animal cell cultured food products present many important and timely technical and regulatory considerations for the FDA and our partners at USDA,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. “We look forward to the opportunity to hold a meeting with our USDA colleagues as part of an open public dialogue regarding these products.”
Representatives of industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders are invited to participate in the meeting. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting.
Pre-registration is available at the Meetings and Events page on the FSIS website. Attendance is free.
The meeting will be held on Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Jefferson Auditorium in the USDA South Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C., 20250.
Anyone who wishes to submit written comments prior to the public meeting or after the meeting may do so by submitting comments on regulations.gov by Nov. 26. Comments previously submitted to FDA in regard to the July 12, 2018 public meeting will also be considered.