Aleph Farms submits first ever application for cultivated meat in Europe
Cultivated ribeye steak.
Image: Aleph Farms
Aleph Farms has submitted an application for regulatory approval to the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) with the goal of selling the world’s first cultivated beef steaks under the Aleph Cuts brand in Switzerland.
The submission is part of Aleph’s collaboration with Migros, Switzerland’s largest food enterprise, which has been instrumental in assessing the country’s specific regulatory approval process.
Aleph Farms said it is using the expertise and infrastructure of leaders in food production, including Migros, which first invested in the company in 2019, to help accelerate scale-up and commercialisation of Aleph Cuts worldwide.
Together, Aleph and Migros have since conducted extensive consumer research in Switzerland and navigated the intricacies of the country’s regulatory landscape for novel foods. As part of their agreement, the two companies will continue to develop a go-to-market strategy that involves distribution and commercialisation of Aleph Cuts through fine dining food service channels in Switzerland.
“Food systems affect everyone, and it will take a coordinated effort between regulators, innovators and incumbents to ensure food security in a way that helps humanity live within its planetary boundaries,” said Didier Toubia, co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms. “At Aleph Farms, we carefully consider partnerships that reflect our core values and sustainability commitments. Together with Migros, we are establishing the cow cell as the third category of food products from cattle, alongside beef and milk. We look forward to working closely with Switzerland’s Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office to enable access to both high-quality nutrition and world-changing innovation.”
Switzerland is a country with a high affinity for innovation. According to research conducted jointly by Aleph Farms and Migros, 74% of Swiss consumers are open to trying cultivated meat and are motivated to try it chiefly by curiosity and a desire to align with principles like sustainability and animal welfare.
Aleph argues that alongside sustainable animal agriculture, cellular agriculture can help increase resilience and stability in the supply of animal proteins and fats to diners in Switzerland. In addition, acceptance by Swiss consumers – known for a quality-conscious attitude towards food – can contribute further to cultivated meat’s growing momentum worldwide.
Later this year, Aleph Farms plans to launch Aleph Cuts in Singapore and Israel in limited quantities and offer exclusive tasting experiences curated with select partners, pending regulatory approvals. Aleph’s regulatory team is working in similar fashion with regulatory authorities in numerous markets around the world, including Switzerland, in order to ensure compliance with respective safety requirements.
