Navigating the Politics of New Food Technologies

Technologies developed to overcome challenges facing the global food system are not always welcomed. The polarised global response to genetically modified foods has revealed that potentially life-saving breakthroughs can be undermined by a lack of trust [1]. Here, we ask whether we can better position science in support of values-led conversations for emerging food technologies, using cellular agriculture as an illustrative example.

What is cellular agriculture?

The term ‘cellular agriculture’ encompasses a variety of biotechnology methods used to create food products conventionally derived from animal agriculture. These products may be fermentation-based, derived from microbial activity [2], or cell-cultured, derived from animal cells [3].

While the term ‘agriculture’ may evoke images of bucolic landscapes, cellular agriculture involves placing isolated cells inside a bioreactor – similar in appearance to a commercial brewing tank – and providing them with suitable nutrients. The cells may act as ‘factories’ to produce dairy and egg proteins, or can be harvested directly as ‘meat’.

The rise of ‘future foods’

Trade barriers, military expansionism, aid cuts, severely weakened global institutions: a volatile geopolitical landscape has exposed critical vulnerabilities in modern food systems [4]. At the same time, these systems need to feed a fast-growing population without overshooting planetary boundaries [5].

Diversification of food production can play a role in strategic efforts to boost resilience and reduce import dependence. Compared to conventional animal agriculture, well-designed ‘future food’ production methods – including cellular agriculture – are less vulnerable to supply chains buckling under the weight of a changing world [6].

Food: a contested space

With echoes of the response to genetically modified foods, several US states and European Union countries have banned or proposed bans on cell-cultured products. Rather than being supported by the best available scientific evidence, bans seem primarily driven by the protectionist concerns of agricultural lobby groups [7].

The campaign against cell-cultured foods places them firmly in the ‘Frankenfoods’ bucket, evoking imagery of scientists unwisely meddling with the natural order [8]. For example, when lauding a recent Mississippi ban on cell-cultured dairy, the state’s agriculture commissioner contrasted ‘fake milk’ with ‘real food for real people’ [9].

Meanwhile, advocates for the cellular agriculture industry reject this characterisation, with CEO of California cellular agriculture startup Upside Foods arguing, ‘Upside is not looking to replace conventional meat… [but] it is possible to have delicious meat without the need for slaughtering animals,’ in response to a Florida ban [10].

Innovation with a social conscience

Listening to concerns from diverse stakeholders can help positively shape the design and roll-out of future food technologies [11]. For example, the Netherlands is investing efforts into bringing farmers on the cellular agriculture journey, enabling on-farm cellular agriculture alongside traditional production [12]. This decentralised approach utilises existing local supply chains, promoting food sovereignty and bringing economic benefits to rural communities [13].

In sum, to better design and scale vital new innovation, it is essential that scientists consider and respond to the broader regulatory and social context they operate within. Through sharing different experiences in the introduction of cellular agriculture around the world, science diplomacy can establish best practice and inform a global conversation.

For further resources on this topic, visit our website:

https://catalysingfuturefoods.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/

Special thanks to Emma Brown and Juliet Gerrard from Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland together with Laura Domigan and Olivia Ogilvie from Opo Bio Limited for their support and review of this article.

References:

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[2]          Good Food Institute, “The science of fermentation.” Accessed: May 13, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://gfi.org/science/the-science-of-fermentation/

[3]          The Good Food Institute, “The science of cultivated meat.” Accessed: May 13, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://gfi.org/science/the-science-of-cultivated-meat/

[4]          iPES-Food, “The new geopolitics of food: navigating policies for resilient self-reliance.” Accessed: May 15, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://ipes-food.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NewGeopoliticsOfFood.pdf

[5]          J. Rockström et al., “The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems,” The Lancet, vol. 406, no. 10512, pp. 1625–1700, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01201-2.

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[7]          M. A. Fino et al., “Cultivated meat beyond bans: Ten remarks from the Italian case toward a reasoned decision-making process,” Dec. 20, 2024, Cell Press. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.11.002.

[8]          L. Gagliardi, “Weaponising taste: Disgust and diets in food decision-making,” TableDebates. Accessed: May 15, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.tabledebates.org/essay/weaponising-taste-disgust-and-diets-food-decision-making

[9]          Green Queen, “Mississippi Becomes First US State to Ban Lab-Grown Dairy.” Accessed: May 19, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/mississippi-lab-grown-milk-cell-cultured-dairy-cultivated-meat-ban/

[10]      Meat + Poultry, “Upside Foods’ case against Florida cultivated meat ban moves forward.” Accessed: May 27, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/31814-upside-foods-case-against-florida-cultivated-meat-ban-moves-forward

[11]      V. V. Rao, B. Datta, and K. Steinmetz, “The role of natural scientists in navigating the social implications of cellular agriculture: insights from an interdisciplinary workshop,” Front. Sustain. Food Syst., vol. 7, p. 1134100, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.3389/FSUFS.2023.1134100/TEXT.

[12]      Sentient Media, “The Future of Lab-Grown Meat? In the Netherlands, It’s Locally Grown.” Accessed: May 26, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://sentientmedia.org/lab-grown-meat-netherlands/

[13]      E. Soice and J. Johnston, “How Cellular Agriculture Systems Can Promote Food Security,” Front. Sustain. Food Syst., vol. 5, p. 753996, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.753996.