Regulator approves Vow Group's lab-grown quail as food in NZ

Forged cultured Japanese quail whipped pate and smoked spread. (Image: Supplied)

Thu, 19 Jun 2025

Cell-cultured quail is the first lab-grown meat permitted for use as a food in New Zealand following an update to genetically modified food definitions in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on Wednesday said the definitions were updated to reflect advances in gene technologies while upholding strong food safety standards.At the same time it permitted the use of cell-cultured quail as a food after Sydney’s Vow Group sought approval to use cultured quail cells in combination with other...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Wednesday, Sept 03

Can you get them all correct without cheating?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Public sector Business of Government

Pharmac challenge, two big jobs, and more

Two of the country's toughest public service jobs are up for grabs.

Pattrick Smellie 5:00am

Pharmac challenge, two big jobs, and more

Retail

Court quashes Woolworths pharmacy contracts challenge

Former district health boards in Lower Hutt and Gisborne hadn't erred in law.

Greg Hurrell 5:00am

Court quashes Woolworths pharmacy contracts challenge

Sponsored

Are employers doing enough to prepare workers to retire well?

When one third of the New Zealand workforce is aged 55 or older – are employers doing enough to help them prepare for retirement?

Moneyfit

Sponsored

Bold Steps: reshaping women’s leadership in Aotearoa

Dame Therese Walsh and Dame Joan Withers reflect on the summit’s unlikely beginnings – and how it has evolved into a platform for ambition and impact today.

OnBeingBold