Thailand’s alternative protein policy, South Korea’s new cultured meat rules, EUDR analysis condemned by experts and more in this edition of Political Choices.

‘Clear direction’ needed: Thailand develops new alternative protein policy that bans some animal-related terms for plant-based products

The Thai government has published draft regulations on the governance of the alternative protein industry, starting with the plant-based sector, and has suggested banning some animal-related terms but allowing others.

The announcement was made by the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand’s (FDA) Food Division, which also established a special research team to analyze the types of standards and criteria that regulations need to address in order to be most effective.

“Currently, alternative protein products are popular among consumers, and there are many such products on the market, but the control and supervision of the safety aspects of these products in Thailand still lacks clear direction.”– said the Thai FDA in an official statement.

“We are beginning to investigate the current production and import of alternative protein products in the country and are studying related regulations (to apply this knowledge) to the development of regulations and standards in Thailand.”​

South Korea-grown meat: Food safety and public health will be top priorities in upcoming new regulations

South Korean food authorities have stressed that public health and potential food safety issues will be top priorities in developing upcoming regulations governing cultured meat in the country.

The local Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has already published interim standards called “Standards for the Recognition of Temporary Standards and Specifications for Food, etc.” which covers food ingredients of cellular and microbial origin, including cultured meat and seafood.