Table 1.

Classification and labeling of alternative foods by country

Classification		South Korea	United States	Europe	China/Japan
Plant protein	Management agency	-Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety	Food Safety Inspection Bureau (FSIS) of USDA, FDA	European Food Safety Agency (EFSA)	China: State Administration for Market Regulation and National Health Commission Japan: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
	Labeling	Use of terms such as “hamburger patties,” “meat,” “nuggets,” and “steaks,” along with plant-based terms such as “veggies,” “vegetarian,” and “soy protein”	Each state has a different notation, but is recommended to use it with terms such as “meat free,” “meatless,” “plant-based,” “veggie-based,” and “made from plants”	The use of names such as “milk,” “cheese,” and “cream” in vegetable dairy products is prohibited. Names indicating the shape and composition of “meat products” such as “steaks,” “sausages,” and “burgers” can be used in plant-based protein foods	“Meat” and “milk” can be used if words similar to “vegetability” are added in a consumer-friendly way
	Classification system	According to the Food Code, “16. Agricultural processed foods” are classified as “16-7. Other agricultural processed foods - (3) Soybean processed products or (5) Other agricultural processed products”	Classified as “subpart D-special dietary” according to the FDA’s Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) It follows the existing classification system, but is classified into a different category from general agricultural products	EU has no separate food classification system	China: Classified as GB2712 <Bean products> according to the existing classification system Japan: Classified as “24. Other processed foods” according to the existing classification system
	Related law	- Fundamental law on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Food Industry, - Food Code of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety	Code of Federal Regulation, Food Safety Modernization Act, Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act	General Food Law, European Commission	- China: Corporate Standard T/CIFST based on National Food Safety Standards - Japan: Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS)
Cultured meat	Management agency	- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety	Food Safety Inspection Bureau (FSIS) of USDA, FDA		- China: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA) contains the contents of cell culture in the Plan to advance agricultural and rural modernization. - Japan: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
	Labeling	It is under discussion by referencing overseas cases depending on whether the cultured meat industry is considered as livestock	Meat terms can be used under the condition that they include “cell cultured products,” “lab-grown,” etc. (some states propose a bill prohibiting the use of meat terms in cultured meat)	No legal definition to date because sales of cultured meat have not been approved	Currently under discussion
	Classification system	If the cultured meat industry is classified as livestock: the possibility of establishing a subcategory of Food Code. If not classified as livestock: the possibility of new types being created.	The USDA and the FDA have reached an official agreement on how to regulate cultured meat	The EU has no separate food classification system	Current related content not confirmed or under discussion
	Related law	Under discussion	Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act	Novel Food Regulation	Current related content not confirmed or under discussions

(Modified from regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; USDA, FDA; European Food Safety Agency; State Administration for Market Regulation and National Health Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) This data is the situation at the time the paper was written.