Aleph Foods, a pioneering firm in the cultivated meat industry, has received approval from the Ministry of Health (MOH) as indicated by the 'No Questions' letter issued this week. This marks the first instance of non-chicken cultivated meat being approved and also signifies the first such approval in the Middle East.
The MOH had dispatched the 'No Questions' letter to Aleph in December, as stated in Aleph Foods' news release dated January 17. The company's primary focus is on developing products derived from cattle cells, which they refer to as the building blocks of beef. According to Aleph's January 17 news release, this method significantly mitigates the environmental impact typically associated with traditional farming.
Co-founder and CEO of Aleph Farms, Didier Toubia, expressed his team's unity and resolve during challenging times in Israel. He said, "The entire Aleph team has united in strength and determination to deliver no matter what during these difficult times in Israel. We are excited to carry this resilience forward in the form of innovation in agriculture and food security." Toubia further emphasized that such innovation has been integral to Israel's vision since its inception, citing early kibbutz practices and modern drip irrigation as examples. He added that with its global leadership position in cellular agriculture, Israel continues to strive for increased regional integration and economic collaboration.
In their pursuit of creating a variety of cultivated beef products known as Aleph Cuts, the company has collaborated with renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson. The company asserts that Samuelsson will work closely with them to create unique culinary experiences centered around their Aleph Cuts products.
Toubia expressed his belief that addressing common challenges like food security is crucial for ensuring prosperity not only for the Middle East but also for other regions heavily reliant on massive food imports, particularly Asia. He said, "We believe that addressing joint challenges like food security is the best way to ensure the prosperity of the Middle East and other parts of the world that rely heavily on massive food imports, especially in Asia." He expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry of Health, the Israel Innovation Authority, and all other government agencies involved for their commitment to advancing the first cultivated beef product in the world. Toubia reiterated Aleph Farms' dedication to making the world a better place.
According to Food Dive, Aleph Foods is now equipped to produce and market their product in food service and retail locations while liaising with regulatory officials in other regions.