The growing cultivated meat industry must navigate local cultural and religious sensitivities to achieve widespread acceptance and commercial success in Asia. Countries like Israel and Singapore are leading efforts to integrate religious guidelines into the cultivated meat sector.
Israel: Despite no legal mandate for kosher certification, cultivated meat producers often pursue it to appeal to the country’s predominantly kosher consumer base. “Kosher certification enhances consumer acceptance.
Singapore: Authorities, including the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore (MUIS), have issued a fatwa permitting halal certification for cultivated meat under specific conditions: using cells from halal animals, ensuring the production process is halal, and confirming the product is non-toxic.
Challenges in Regulation and Market Growth
Despite these advancements, regulatory hurdles and market challenges persist:
South Korea: Efforts are underway to develop novel food regulations and foster collaboration through initiatives like Gyeongbuk Technopark. However, start-ups often struggle to access resources due to the fragmented regulatory landscape.
Global Regulatory Gaps: The lag between fast-evolving food tech innovations and regulatory processes. Confidentiality concerns and the lack of standardized terminology for labelling also pose obstacles.
Path to Market Acceptance
Cultural and religious alignment is critical for cultivated meat to gain consumer trust, especially in regions with strong traditional food practices. While the industry continues to innovate, experts agree that collaboration between governments, religious authorities, and startups is essential to bridge gaps and unlock the sector’s potential in Asia.