The Legal Debate on Cultured Meat Around the World: Comparative Insights from the United States, Singapore and Israel, in Giulia Formici, Maria Cecilia Mancini, Lucia Scaffardi (eds), Cell-Based Meat in the European Union and Beyond

This chapter offers a comparative legal analysis of the regulation of cultured meat in the United States, Singapore and Israel, jurisdictions that have authorised the commercialization of cell-based meat products. In particular, it addresses regulatory definitions, labelling standards and the role of public authorities in licensing and oversight. While all three share common features, significant differences in institutional competences, legal classifications and political dynamics emerge. In the United States, a dual-agency model involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been established, although the field remains marked by legal uncertainty and growing political opposition at state and federal levels. Singapore and Israel have adopted supportive frameworks aligned with broader sustainability and food security goals, including dedicated innovation policies. Notably, Singapore recently enacted the 2025 Food Safety and Security Act, creating a comprehensive framework for novel and cell-based foods. In 2024, Israel became the first country to authorise the sale of cultured beef, under a Novel Food framework involving multiple actors and emphasizing safety, while supporting the industry with dedicated institutions and investment. The chapter explores these developments with the aim of identifying common trends, divergences and broader implications for food governance.