The main results and achievements from work performed in FEASTS until date are:
1) To develop a STEWARDSHIP MODEL for the CM/CSF sector, namely the development of a FEASTS support manual, a STRATEGIC ROAD MAP for the CM/CSF sector (supported by a prior general mapping exercise); additional work was coordinated to produce: a response to the EFSA Draft Novel Food Guidance document, a comment on the Hungarian proposed ban on CM/CSF, an expert contribution to an EU High level group on research and innovation, and an initial scientific workshop toward standards for edible cells. Moreover, conceptual designs for a Food Systems Interactive Visualisation Tool and Platform Design for Safe Data Sharing.
2) To understand SAFETY and NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS of CM/CSF a comprehensive report summarizing applicable EU legislation, a catalogue of validated in vitro analytical methods for safety assessment, and a systematic literature review to characterize the nutritional profiles of CM/CSF products were prepared.
3) To establish a multi-stakeholder approach a comprehensive STAKEHOLDER MAPPING AND ENGAGEMENT PLAN (which included 11 stakeholder groups, 150 literature sources, 13 expert interviews), as well as consortium consultations and development of 15 STRUCTURED STAKEHOLDER PERSONAS were developed. Additionally, a stakeholder database (with 400 entries, and living engagement tracker) and a study on the CM/CSF value chains were developed. Engagement with FARMERS AND AQUAFARMERS was pursued in order to support development of business models and a SURVEY (involving 2,321 consumers in Denmark, France, and Germany, supported by a prior systematic meta-review) to assess consumers trends and inform future consumer Living Labs. Finally, an Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) for large-scale introduction of CM/CSF using the IEEE 7000 standard, examining the ethical opportunities and risks associated with CM/CSF was carried out.
4) To assess MULTI-DIMENSIONAL IMPACT and promote a sustainability-by-design approach, a SPECIAL ISSUE was arranged for the peer-reviewed journal FUTURE FOODS. Databases for various cell culture related protocols and media ingredients available for media formulation, CELL LINES from terrestrial and aquatic species, including an “OPEN ACCESS CELL LINE”, MEDIA FORMULATION, FOOD STRUCTURING STRATEGIES and BIOREACTOR SYSTEMS were studied for CM production. Moreover, design, conceptualization and MODELLING AT INDUSTRIAL-SCALE PROCESSES as well as production processes using different parallelization options for scale-up were investigated, to support different DEGREES OF (DE)CENTRALIZATION. Importantly, a mapping and categorization framework, integrating a TECHNOLOGICAL MAP DIAGRAM, an INTERACTIVE DECISION TREE for CM/CSF production, and TECHNOLOGICAL TRAJECTORIES were suggested for manufacturing diverse CM/CSF foods. Finally, KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS were identified for technologies and CM/CSF products according to technology readiness levels (TRL).
Further work is planned concerning:
5) While results related to SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT, including contributions made to establish GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LCA of CM, a draft on review on scoping sustainability to inform life cycle-based methodologies, setting of system boundaries and process scheme to produce CM. An initial CULTURE MEDIA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT was already concluded.
