Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FEASTS (Fostering European cellular Agriculture for Sustainable Transition Solutions)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-12-01 do 2025-05-31
The cultured meat and cultured seafood (CM/CSF) industry is emerging to meet the growing demand for protein with promises of a lower environmental footprint. However, current knowledge about the impact of this sector is limited and lacking important considerations such as social impact and its adaptability to current and future demand. FEASTS intends to provide an unbiased and robust knowledge base for assessing the CM/CSF sector by promoting multistakeholder engagement and co-creation activities, grounded in transparent dialogue and open science practices. Designed as a think-tank, FEASTS can provide support for informed policy- and decision-making in the EU.
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.
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.
Results from FEASTS that are beyond the state of the art, include the following:
1) Technological development:
- An open access cell line, with characterized capacities for proliferation and adipogenic differentiation. Work needed for use in commercial food production.
- A new cell culture medium, using hydrolysates. Work needed to optimize for commercial production.
- New food structuring strategies including novel open access and proprietary bioinks, scaffolds, and 3D CM/CSF prototypes.
- A plant-based scaffold with enhanced thermal stability and biocompatibility.
- An interactive decision tree for CM/CSF production processes, allowing for visualization across choices available to create and handle CM/CSF products.
2) Implementation and social impact:
- A comprehensive stakeholder map for the CM/CSF sector, and development of 15 stakeholder personas that serve as tangible illustrations and help researchers and practitioners understand and empathise with perspectives of different stakeholders, enabling the design of more inclusive activities.
- A comprehensive Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) for the large-scale introduction of CM/CSF can help stakeholders understand tensions and potential trade-offs underlying choices.
- Engagement with (aqua)farmers broadens perspectives about CM/CSF adoption beyond consumer acceptance, and includes potential forms of decentralized business models.
3) Sectoral and policy-making:
- A strategic road map for the sector identifies: target goals; next steps to shift the current trajectory of the sector; and potential opportunities for diverse stakeholders.
1) Technological development:
- An open access cell line, with characterized capacities for proliferation and adipogenic differentiation. Work needed for use in commercial food production.
- A new cell culture medium, using hydrolysates. Work needed to optimize for commercial production.
- New food structuring strategies including novel open access and proprietary bioinks, scaffolds, and 3D CM/CSF prototypes.
- A plant-based scaffold with enhanced thermal stability and biocompatibility.
- An interactive decision tree for CM/CSF production processes, allowing for visualization across choices available to create and handle CM/CSF products.
2) Implementation and social impact:
- A comprehensive stakeholder map for the CM/CSF sector, and development of 15 stakeholder personas that serve as tangible illustrations and help researchers and practitioners understand and empathise with perspectives of different stakeholders, enabling the design of more inclusive activities.
- A comprehensive Ethical Impact Assessment (EIA) for the large-scale introduction of CM/CSF can help stakeholders understand tensions and potential trade-offs underlying choices.
- Engagement with (aqua)farmers broadens perspectives about CM/CSF adoption beyond consumer acceptance, and includes potential forms of decentralized business models.
3) Sectoral and policy-making:
- A strategic road map for the sector identifies: target goals; next steps to shift the current trajectory of the sector; and potential opportunities for diverse stakeholders.