MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission, pressing for an EU-wide ban on lab-grown meat and raising concerns over insufficient long-term health studies. The question, filed on 13 July 2026, targets the Commission's stance on authorising novel foods under the precautionary principle, citing unresolved risks such as cell line stability, production residues, growth factors, microbial contamination, and allergenic effects. Hauser argues that Italy's opposition to lab-grown meat should be followed at EU level to protect consumer health and traditional food production.
why the Commission does not advocate an EU ban, what long-term scientific studies support the safety of regular consumption, and whether the Commission will decline authorisation given scientific misgivings. The MEP's initiative aligns with a protectionist and precautionary policy orientation, prioritising consumer safety and traditional agriculture over innovation in food technology. Stakeholders impacted include EU consumers (potential health risks), traditional livestock farmers (competition from novel products), and biotech companies developing cultured meat (regulatory barriers).
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal whether it leans towards precautionary restrictions or maintains openness to novel food authorisations under existing EU frameworks.