Singapore approves serum-free media for cultured meat

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has approved the use of serum-free media to produce cultured meat. Replacing animal-origin cell culture reagents, such as fetal bovine serum (FBS), will help GOOD Meat and other companies that follow them into the market to scale up their production. It will support sustainability and cruelty-free claims for cultured meat. Mammalian cells have traditionally been grown in FBS harvested from pregnant cows during slaughter. FBS contains thousands of components and is often poorly characterized. Animal-origin reagents also raise concerns about contamination from infected animals. Therefore, the authorization of serum-free media is an important milestone.

The Singapore Government is focused on sustainability and resilience. The island nation currently imports more than 90% of its food but aims to meet 30% of its population’s nutritional needs through local, sustainable production by 2030. Cultured meat can contribute to this aim, and Singapore was the first country to approve its sale. The SFA continues to take a leadership position among the world’s regulatory agencies ensuring that these sustainable new products are also safe. Their latest approval of serum-free media will allow the field to grow and develop.

Vireo is encouraged by these continuing actions supporting the safe manufacture of cultured meat and seafood products.