Submitting Our First EU Market Authorisation Request
We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone in our mission to reshape the global food system: we have submitted our first Novel Foods application to the European Commission (EC) for our cultivated beef fat. This is not only Mosa Meat’s first request for market authorisation in the European Union, but also the first cultivated beef submission in the EU’s history.
Why Cultivated Fat?
Our decision to start with cultivated fat is based on the unique regulatory structure in Europe. Unlike for example in Singapore—where entire products are assessed—the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviews each novel ingredient individually. Cultivated fat is critical to delivering the taste, aroma, and mouthfeel that people expect from high-quality beef, making it a natural first step on our path toward introducing cultivated beef to consumers.
“Fat is the soul of flavor, and we’ve developed an ingredient that delivers the rich culinary experience consumers expect from conventional beef. This innovation not only enhances our Mosa Burgers but also has the potential to elevate plant-based products, which often struggle to replicate the full sensory experience of meat.”
— Maarten Bosch, CEO of Mosa Meat
The Gold Standard in Food Safety
The EU’s Novel Foods framework is widely regarded as a global gold standard for food safety and quality. To meet these rigorous requirements, we worked meticulously to compile a robust dataset:
Our dossier numbers almost 1.000 pages.
We processed 450 samples and reviewed 652 analytical documents.
We collaborated with six accredited laboratories, developing 23 new analytical methods and analyzing 148 parameters per batch.
Altogether, over 10 full-time Mosa Meat employees worked on this dossier for nearly two years.
It took seven consecutive days just to upload all the documents into the EC portal.
This monumental effort included top-tier data collection and analysis. Once our dossier passes a validity check by the European Commission, it will be referred to EFSA for a thorough risk assessment, which is expected to take around 18 months.
Mosa Burgers featuring cultivated fat at a recent pre-approval tasting event
A New Era for European Beef
By submitting our cultivated beef fat for approval, we’re taking one of the final steps toward introducing our innovative products—like the Mosa Burger — to the European market. Our initial offerings will combine cultivated beef fat with plant-based ingredients to create a delightful, beefy flavor profile that’s kinder to the planet.
“When I first tried a Mosa Burger as part of the internal development team, I was blown away by the beefy taste and the amazing mouthfeel of the beef fat. It gave me goosebumps. I genuinely believe this new way of making beef can delight connoisseurs and casual beef lovers alike while enjoying the positive benefits of cultivated beef from a sustainability perspective.”
— Hans van Wolde, 2-star Michelin Chef
What’s Next?
As we work with the EC and EFSA through the Novel Foods approval process, our team is continuing to make strides in research and development. We remain committed to collaborating with a wide range of partners — from chefs and flavor experts to retailers and traditional meat producers — to ensure that cultivated meat meets the highest standards of taste, safety, and sustainability.
“By starting with cultivated fat, we’re paving the way to introduce our first burgers to consumers while staying true to our long-term vision. Mosa Meat remains committed to building a more diverse and resilient food system — one that satisfies global demand while being kind to the planet.”
— Maarten Bosch, CEO of Mosa Meat
We look forward to updating you on our progress as we continue to pioneer the future of delicious, sustainable beef — one bite at a time!
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