Analysis Feature
Hong Kong fourth country to allow cultured meat
Hong Kong has approved the sale of some cultured meat products. This makes the city-state the fourth country in the world to allow the consumption of cultured meat.
The country has approved the consumption and sale of two cultured quail products from the Australian startup Vow. The products will be sold at The Aubrey Bar in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, located in the center of Hong Kong.
Three countries preceded Hong Kong. Singapore, the United States, and Israel have already approved the consumption of some cultured meat products. In the first country, cultured meat has been served in various restaurants since 2021, and this year a product containing 3% cultured chicken cells is being sold in the country's supermarkets.
Independent decision
Hong Kong is ahead of its large neighbor China. Although China and Hong Kong are economically closely intertwined, Hong Kong makes decisions on food safety independently. The neighboring country is also working hard on the approval of alternative proteins.
The Chinese food and drug authority has indicated that it is working on a framework to ensure safety. The country has invested about 80 million yuan (approximately €10.40 million at current exchange rates) in the technology.
