How APAC Countries Regulate Precision Fermentation

David Bell
Sep 20
5 min read

Updated: Sep 22

Precision fermentation is undoubtedly one of the most transformative approaches to creating sustainable and ethical food systems. It promises to alleviate the environmental and ethical burdens associated with industrial meat production, offering a pathway to create real animal proteins without slaughter or intensive farming. However, for this technology to reach its full potential, robust and efficient regulatory frameworks are required. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, a diverse landscape encompassing both major consumer markets and potential production hubs, is grappling with the complexities of regulating this cutting-edge technology.

This article provides an in-depth look at the regulatory landscape for precision fermentation in APAC, examining key markets like China, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore while highlighting both opportunities and barriers. Whether you are a policymaker, an activist, or an industry stakeholder, understanding these dynamics is crucial to advancing this ethical, science-driven innovation.

What Is Precision Fermentation, and Why Does Regulation Matter?

Precision fermentation uses genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) to produce specific proteins, enzymes, or other compounds. From creating dairy proteins like beta-lactoglobulin to producing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), this technology has the potential to revolutionise food production. However, its regulatory journey is complicated by the need to address safety, labelling, and ethical concerns, all of which vary significantly across countries.

In the APAC region, regulatory inconsistencies can either accelerate or hinder the adoption of precision fermentation. Countries with clear and efficient approval processes stand to position themselves as global leaders, while those with opaque or outdated frameworks risk lagging behind in this crucial food innovation.

Key Regulatory Landscapes in APAC: Breaking Down the Details

1. China: Pioneering Progress, but with Caution

China's regulatory framework for precision fermentation is evolving rapidly. The National Health Commission (NHC), along with the National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center (CFSA), oversees the approval of novel foods, including those derived from precision fermentation. A significant development came in September 2024, when CFSA outlined requirements for the safety evaluation of genetically modified microorganisms used in food processing.

Recent Success: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) produced using precision fermentation have already been approved, demonstrating a pathway for innovation.
Regulatory Timelines: Applications can take 1–2 years, with variations depending on the product category (e.g., baby and toddler foods tend to face longer review periods).
Challenges: The requirement for case-by-case assessments, even for identical products, adds complexity and potential delays.

2. Australia: A Clear Regulatory Framework for Growth

Australia stands out as a production hub due to its well-defined regulations. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) plays a central role in approving precision fermentation products under its genetically modified (GM) food standards.

Key Features: Applications typically take 18–24 months and involve costs of AUD 150,000–200,000. Products familiar to FSANZ may be approved in under 12 months.
Genetically Modified Microbe Importation: The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) governs the import and modification of GMMs, requiring a separate 6–9 month licensing process.
Advantages: Australia’s rigorous but transparent framework makes it attractive for companies looking to scale production.

3. Thailand: Competitive Costs, But Regulatory Bottlenecks

Thailand offers low-cost production environments and government incentives, making it an attractive option for scaling precision fermentation operations. However, its regulatory environment can be a significant hurdle.

Approval Pathway: The Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) requires that all products - even those exclusively for export - be approved for local sale. This dual-layer requirement complicates the process.
Timeline: While safety assessments can be completed in 7–12 months, the full approval process may take 3–5 years in practice, much longer than the statutory timeline.
Challenges: Thailand’s regulatory system demands better alignment and efficiency to realise its full potential as a production hub.

4. Singapore: A Global Leader in Novel Foods

Singapore is often regarded as a regulatory pioneer in food innovation. Its Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has already approved several precision fermentation products, including beta-lactoglobulin (Perfect Day) and heme protein (Impossible Foods).

Timelines: Estimated at 9–12 months, though this depends on the agency’s workload and the complexity of the application.
Advantages: Singapore’s streamlined and transparent process has positioned it as a global leader, attracting significant industry interest.
Challenges: High levels of competition for regulatory attention mean that companies may face delays.

5. Other Notable Cases

Japan and South Korea: Both countries have conservative regulatory environments that have yet to embrace precision fermentation as a distinct category. Timelines in Japan, for example, can stretch to 10 years.
New Zealand: Recent regulatory revisions in 2024 have improved the landscape for GMM production, but challenges remain in implementing these changes effectively.
Vietnam: While still in its early stages, Vietnam is investing in infrastructure and offering incentives to attract production, though its opaque approval system poses challenges.

Key Insights for Policymakers and Industry Stakeholders

Regulatory Clarity is Essential: Countries like Australia and Singapore demonstrate the importance of transparent, well-structured frameworks. Their clear timelines and pathways encourage investment and innovation.
Harmonisation Can Boost Growth: Regulatory inconsistencies across APAC slow down the regional adoption of precision fermentation. Efforts to harmonise processes could unlock significant opportunities.
Incentives Matter: Thailand and Vietnam highlight how government incentives can attract production, but these must be paired with regulatory efficiency.
Case-by-Case Assessments Are a Bottleneck: As seen in China, requiring unique reviews for similar products creates unnecessary delays.
Consumer Markets Are Just as Important: While production hubs get much of the attention, consumer-focused markets like Japan and South Korea must modernise their frameworks to accommodate imports.

Key Takeaways

China has made significant progress with its 2024 safety evaluation guidelines, but its case-by-case assessment approach could slow innovation.
Australia’s robust system provides a template for success, balancing rigour with efficiency.
Thailand has strong cost advantages but faces delays due to overly complex approval processes.
Singapore remains a global leader in food innovation, with a proven track record of approving precision fermentation products.
Harmonisation across APAC could accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies like precision fermentation.
For industry stakeholders, thorough applications with comprehensive data can significantly reduce approval timelines, regardless of the country.
Policymakers must address regulatory opacity and streamline multi-layered approval systems to foster a more competitive landscape.

Conclusion

The APAC region is at the forefront of precision fermentation's regulatory evolution, offering a mix of opportunities and challenges. Countries like Singapore and Australia have set benchmarks for efficiency, while others like China and Thailand continue to refine their processes. To realise the transformative potential of precision fermentation, stakeholders must push for harmonised regulations, prioritise transparency, and advocate for faster, science-driven approvals.

By navigating these complexities thoughtfully, the APAC region can not only lead the way in sustainable food innovation but also set a global example of how ethics, technology, and policy can work together to build a better future.

Source: "The Business of Alt Protein: Navigating global regulations for precision fermentation (APAC focus)" - The Good Food Institute, YouTube, Aug 14, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSfnoGIcaK4

Use: Embedded for reference. Brief quotes used for commentary/review.