Aleph Farms seeks regulatory approval for cultivated beef steaks in Switzerland

Aleph Farms, an innovative cellular agriculture firm committed to enhancing food security, sustainability, and animal welfare, has applied to the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) for regulatory approval to sell its cultivated beef steaks under the brand Aleph Cuts in Switzerland.

This move, a significant milestone in the food industry, aims at launching the world’s first cultivated beef steaks and is part of Aleph’s collaboration with Migros, Switzerland’s largest food enterprise.

In 2019, Migros first invested in Aleph Farms, and since then, the two have combined their expertise to conduct extensive consumer research in Switzerland, delving into the country’s regulatory environment for novel foods. The partnership is aimed at accelerating the scale-up, commercialization, and go-to-market activities for Aleph Cuts globally, using Migros’ established food production infrastructure. The companies plan to distribute and commercialize Aleph Cuts through fine dining food service channels in Switzerland.

Commenting on this, Didier Toubia, Co-Founder and CEO of Aleph Farms, said, “Food systems affect everyone, and it will take a coordinated effort between regulators, innovators, and incumbents to ensure food security in a way that helps humanity live within its planetary boundaries.” He added that Aleph Farms is committed to establishing the cow cell as the third category of food products from cattle, along with beef and milk, in partnership with Migros.

Switzerland, known for its inclination towards innovation, provides an opportune market. According to research conducted by Aleph Farms and Migros, 74% of Swiss consumers are open to trying cultivated meat, driven by curiosity and a desire to support sustainability and animal welfare.

Cellular agriculture, like that pursued by Aleph Farms, can increase the resilience and stability of animal protein and fat supply in Switzerland and contribute to the growing momentum of cultivated meat worldwide, considering the quality-conscious nature of Swiss consumers.

Later in the year, pending regulatory approvals, Aleph Farms plans to launch Aleph Cuts in Singapore and Israel in limited quantities and provide exclusive tasting experiences in partnership with select partners. The company’s regulatory team is similarly engaging with regulatory authorities worldwide, including Switzerland, to ensure compliance with safety requirements.

Aleph Farms, based in Israel, is pioneering in cellular agriculture. The company’s efforts aim to enhance food systems by diversifying the supply and decentralizing the production of quality animal proteins and fats, complementing sustainable animal agriculture.