Singapore Islamic Council rules cultivated meat is halal, with caveats

In Singapore, Islamic scholars have declared cultivated meat halal if the cell lines come from species Muslims are permitted to eat, such as chicken or beef. Pork remained off-limits, according to the ruling, which also states all ingredients in the final product must also be halal and the product is clean and non-toxic.

According to Green Queen, the fatwa from the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura is a key hurdle for cultivated meat consumption in the country, where just over 15% of the population is Muslim. Singapore became the first country to approve a cultivated meat product for human consumption—Eat Just’s cultivated chicken bites—in 2020.

“Building a truly inclusive, efficient and secure protein production system requires making high-quality, nutrient-rich, and culturally relevant foods available to every facet of society,” said Mirte Gosker, managing director of Good Food Institute APAC. “With Muis’s precedent-setting announcement, Singapore is bringing that bold vision one step closer to reality.”