Cell-Based ("Fake") Meat to be Overseen by Food Safety Inspection Service.

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will oversee the production and labeling of human food products derived from the cells of livestock and poultry. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will oversee cell collection, cell banks, and cell growth and differentiation.

"Consumers trust the USDA mark of inspection to ensure safe, wholesome and accurately labeled products," says Mindy Brashears , USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. "We look forward to continued collaboration with FDA and our stakeholders to safely regulate these new products and ensure parity in labeling."

"The framework will ensure cell-based meat and poultry products are wholesome, safe for consumption, and properly labeled," says Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the North American Meat Institute (NAMI). "We support a fair and competitive marketplace that lets consumers decide what food products make sense for them and their families, and this agreement will help achieve these goals by establishing the level playing field necessary to ensure consumer confidence."

Likewise, Jennifer Houston, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) explained: "This is what NCBA has been asking for, and it is what consumers deserve. Under the terms of the agreement, USDA will be responsible for inspecting all facilities that harvest, process, package, or label cell-cultured products derived from livestock or poultry. All product labels will also be subject to USDA's pre-approval and verification process."