The commercial success of cultivated meat in Asia hinges not only on food safety regulations but also on aligning with local religious and cultural beliefs. Experts from Israel, Singapore, and South Korea emphasize that regulatory approval alone is not enough—halal, kosher, and cultural considerations are key to consumer acceptance. While Singapore has issued a fatwa permitting halal-certified cultivated meat under strict conditions, South Korea is still developing its regulatory framework, and Israel’s industry voluntarily seeks kosher certification despite no legal mandate. Challenges such as regulatory pace, intellectual property concerns, and consumer-friendly labelling remain significant hurdles.
Insights & Strategic Moves
Religious Certification as a Market Enabler
In Israel, cultivated meat firms seek kosher certification to align with consumer demand, as seen with Supermeat’s kosher-certified cultivated chicken.
Singapore’s Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) has ruled that cultivated meat can be halal if it meets three conditions: using cells from halal animals, maintaining a halal production process, and ensuring final product safety.
With Muslims making up 25% of the global population, halal certification is essential for widespread market acceptance.
Navigating Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenges
South Korea’s Gyeongbuk Technopark is creating public-private ecosystems to facilitate cultivated meat development, helping start-ups access regulatory support and partnerships.
Regulatory frameworks across multiple government agencies create bottlenecks, slowing down approvals and market entry.
Information-sharing and intellectual property concerns pose additional challenges, as companies must balance transparency with competitive advantage.
Consumer Trust and Labelling Complexities
Terminology for cultivated meat remains contested—scientific accuracy does not always align with what fosters consumer trust.
Governments and industry leaders must create standardized, transparent labelling guidelines to ensure clarity without triggering resistance.
Future Outlook
For cultivated meat to scale in Asia, companies must proactively address religious and cultural concerns while navigating fragmented regulatory landscapes. A multi-stakeholder approach—involving religious authorities, policymakers, and industry leaders—will be key to overcoming hurdles in certification, regulation, and consumer perception.
The future of cultivated meat in Asia will be determined by more than just technology—gaining religious legitimacy, consumer trust, and regulatory clarity will be just as critical to long-term success.
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