Subcommittee on Cell Cultivated Products (CCP). Minutes of the 2nd Meeting held on the 18th of August 2025

These minutes are subject to confirmation by the Subcommittee. 

Members are required to declare any personal interest in matters under discussion; where Members have a particularly close association with any item, the Chairman will limit their involvement in the discussion. In cases where an item is to be discussed in their absence, a Member may make a statement before leaving. 

Minutes of the 2nd meeting of the Cell Cultivated Products (CCP) subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, held on 18th August 2025 as a hybrid meeting. 

Attendance

Committee Chair

Professor Huw D. Jones

Committee Members

Professor Hans Verhagen 

Mrs Alison Austin 

Professor Ramiro Alberio

Invited Experts

Dr Marianne Ellis 

Dr Andy Greenfield 

Dr Frank Baganz 

Ms Prithvi Kodialbail 

Professor Xavier Donadeu  

Secretariat

Dr Daniel Lloyd, Technical Secretariat

Mrs Jodie Towns, Science Secretariat

Dr Swati Arya, Science Secretariat 

Miss Victoria Balch, Administrative Secretariat

1. Apologies and Announcements 

N/A 

2. Welcome

The chair welcomed the members, representatives from the FSA and the secretariat team to the 2nd ACNFP CCP Subgroup meeting on the topic of Cell Identity, Production and Microbiological hazards.   

3. Cell Identity, Isolation & Banking

ACNFP_CCP/02/03

The FSA representatives gave the subgroup an overview of the current regulations for identity of novel foods within the UK. This portion of the meeting focussed on the potential risks associated with cell identity, cell isolation and cell banking. The Subgroup considered these risks in the context of supporting the development of FSA technical guidance for CCPs. 

Discussions centred on the importance of traceability to the biological origin of the cells used in the production of CCPs, including obtaining evidence of the health status of source animals, taxonomic species and the identity of the cell line, including cell type. Genetic stability was considered; however, phenotypic consistency was emphasised as a practical measure of stability.  

Genetic modification of cell lines for use in CCPs was explored, particularly the use of transgenes to induce cell immortality. It was confirmed by the FSA that all CCP applications will be regulated as novel foods under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, including where genetic alterations have been made to the cell line.  

The session also addressed cell banking and storage practices, noting that while cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen is standard, the key concern is ensuring the viability and sterility of stored cells. The group emphasized that both self-sourced and third-party banked cells have the same safety and quality standards to meet, with appropriate documentation and testing to support their use in production.

4. Production Processes

ACNFP_CCP/02/04

This session focused on production processes and microbiological hazards in the manufacture of CCPs with understanding of the variability of manufacturing systems in industry. The subgroup discussed differences between batch, semi-continuous, and fully continuous production models, noting that each presents unique challenges for safety assurance and quality control. There was agreement that applicants must define their own production model and therefore what defines a batch within their production system. Additionally, they must demonstrate product safety and consistency throughout with consideration for long term cultures where risks related to genetic drift or contamination may arise.  

Discussion addressed roles of media and scaffolding in the production process and the hazards associated with them such as allergenicity, sterility and residual contamination. There was emphasis that suppliers for raw media ingredients and scaffolds should have relevant evidence to show they are manufacturing using validated methods to assure for sterility and quality.  

Stability testing of the novel food was discussed, it was emphasised that the final product must meet food safety standards, and demonstrate its physicochemical, biochemical and microbiological stability. The microbiological risks in the production of CCPs were considered e.g. sterility of the cell line and detection of pathogens. Topics of discussion also including the potential for cross contamination and determined that microbiological safety should be assured throughout the production process.  

The subgroup used FSA-prepared pre-reading material to focus their conversations and to provide their feedback on the questions presented. The subgroup provides expertise and insight into the development of technical guidance being produced by the FSA on identity, production and microbiology. 

5. Date of next meeting

The 3rd ACNFP Subgroup will be on the topic of Toxicology and Growth Media. This will be held on 15th October 2025.