FDA Says They Have Jurisdiction Over Lab-Grown Meat

The Food and Drug Administration Friday (FDA) issued a statement claiming jurisdiction over lab-grown meat. That puts the agency potentially at odds with USDA.USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue has previously said his agency would have responsibility.FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a statement Friday saying that the agency not only has jurisdiction over the products but that it also plans to hold a public meeting on the issue next month. "We take seriously our commitment to the consumers and industry who look to the FDA for important guidance when it comes to our nation’s food supply, including the pathway for bringing forward safe, emerging food innovations," Gottlieb said in a joint statement with FDA Deputy Commissioner Anna Abram.From USDA's perspective, Perdue has said there are some "gray lines between FDA and USDA on many things, but meat has been under the purview of USDA, as well you know meat and poultry has been the sole purview of USDA. We would expect any product that expects to be labeled as meat would come under that same inspection criteria."FDA is planning to hold a public meeting on July 12 to solicit input on lab-grown meat.