The vegan and vegetarian organization Swissveg and the label organization V-Label GmbH are launching the new C-label for cultured meat. The globally registered trademark helps consumers to recognize and understand the production process behind a cultured meat process, according to a press release. This strengthens trust and acceptance for the new type of food production.
The introduction of the certification will be announced together with the British start-up Meatly. Meatly develops cultured animal feed is the world's first company with C-label licensed cultured chicken meat. However, the product is not yet on the market.
"As we move ever closer to a world where cultured meat becomes the norm, a certification such as the C-label will be increasingly necessary to build consumer confidence in this new and revolutionary product," Owen Ensor, CEO of Meatly, is quoted as saying.
C-Label stands for the following features:
- Animal-free culture media: No animal medium is required for the production of C-label products.
- Animal welfare: All interventions and procedures, especially invasive procedures such as biopsies, must be demonstrably necessary, painless and stress-free for the animals. No animals are killed.
- Products with the C-label do not contain GMOs according to the applicable regulations. GMOs can be used in the process, but are not contained in the end product.
- The products are antibiotic-free
- The products are free from pathogens
- The products are free from heavy metals and plastic
- C-Label promotes animal-free technologies and avoids the need for constant cell collection.
"Cultured meat offers enormous potential to eliminate inhumane farming practices and significantly reduce the negative impact of livestock farming on our environment," Renato Pichler, the founder of V-Label, is quoted as saying. "Our certification for cell-based meat is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable food production. We believe that by setting high standards and encouraging collaboration across the industry, we can accelerate the adoption of cell-based meat and contribute to a more sustainable and ethical food future."
