Korean Muslim Federation Declares Cultivated Meat Halal

In a decision that marries centuries-old religious traditions with cutting-edge food technology, South Korea’s largest Muslim organization has issued a groundbreaking fatwa declaring that cultivated meat can be considered Halal, provided it meets strict Islamic guidelines. This ruling, issued by the Korean Muslim Federation (KMF), is only the second of its kind globally, following a similar edict by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore in 2023. It marks a pivotal moment not just for the burgeoning cultivated meat industry but also for Muslim consumers seeking to reconcile faith with futuristic food innovations.

A fatwa, for those unfamiliar, is a non-binding religious ruling based on Sharia law, offering guidance on matters not explicitly addressed in the Quran. In this case, the KMF’s Halal Committee has determined that cultivated meat—produced by growing animal cells in a lab rather than raising and slaughtering livestock—can be deemed permissible for Muslims if it adheres to Halal standards. This includes ensuring that the source cells are ethically sourced and that the production process aligns with Islamic principles.

Related: Is Artificial Meat Halal?

The Science and Spirituality of Cultivated Meat
Cultivated meat, often referred to as lab-grown or cell-based meat, is created by isolating animal cells and nurturing them in a controlled environment to grow into muscle tissue. The process eliminates the need for traditional animal farming, offering a more sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat production. But for Muslim consumers, the question has always been: Can this high-tech meat be Halal?

The KMF’s fatwa answers that question with a qualified “yes.” According to the ruling, cultivated meat can be Halal if the cells are sourced from animals slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law and if the entire production process is free from contamination by non-Halal substances, such as pork or alcohol-based solvents. This opens the door for cultivated meat producers to enter the lucrative Halal market, which is projected to grow by 7% annually, reaching a staggering $1.6 trillion by 2032.

Simple Planet: A Startup at the Forefront
At the forefront of this movement is Simple Planet, a South Korean startup racing to secure Halal certification for its cell-cultured ingredients. The company specializes in producing protein powders and unsaturated fatty acid pastes for cultivated meat products, using cell lines from animals like beef, chicken, bluefin tuna, and even lobster. For Simple Planet, the KMF’s fatwa is more than just a religious endorsement—it’s a strategic opportunity to tap into a global market of over 1.9 billion Muslims.

Simple Planet’s journey toward Halal compliance is as innovative as it is ambitious. The company has developed a serum-free culture medium using metabolites derived from probiotics—a breakthrough that not only aligns with Halal requirements but also slashes production costs by an astonishing 99.8%. This innovation could make cultivated meat more accessible and affordable, a critical step toward mainstream adoption.

“Our mission is to create cell-based ingredients that are safe, sustainable, and accessible,” said Dominic Jeong, co-founder and CEO of Simple Planet. “By doing so, we hope to contribute to global food security and help address hunger worldwide.”

A Global Collaboration for Halal Innovation
Simple Planet’s ambitions extend far beyond South Korea. Last month, the startup signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. The partnership aims to integrate Halal Good Manufacturing Practices into biotech-powered food solutions, fostering collaboration through joint research, academic programs, and industry seminars.

The collaboration will also support student internships, faculty exchanges, and joint research initiatives, creating a cross-disciplinary approach to Halal certification. This partnership underscores the growing importance of international cooperation in the cultivated meat industry, as companies seek to navigate the complex web of religious, cultural, and regulatory requirements.

Why This Matters
Halal dietary laws, which govern what Muslims can eat, are among the most stringent in the world. Meat must come from animals slaughtered in a specific manner, and certain products—like pork and blood—are strictly prohibited. For cultivated meat to be considered Halal, every step of the production process, from cell sourcing to final product, must be scrutinized and approved by religious authorities.

The KMF’s fatwa is a significant step forward, but it’s not the final word. Each product will still require a thorough inspection of facilities and processes before receiving Halal certification. Nevertheless, the ruling opens the door for South Korean cultivated meat producers to enter the lucrative Halal market, which is projected to grow by 7% annually, reaching $1.6 trillion by 2032.

A Growing Global Trend
South Korea’s decision is part of a broader global trend. In 2023, three leading Shariah scholars in Saudi Arabia advised cultivated meat producer Good Meat that its products could be considered Halal. Similarly, the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America ruled in 2022 that cultivated meat is provisionally permissible, provided it meets Halal criteria.

These rulings are crucial for an industry seeking to move beyond niche markets. A 2023 survey of 44 cultivated meat companies revealed that 87% viewed Halal certification as a priority. Yet, many face challenges due to a lack of clear guidelines on how to achieve compliance.

“For cultivated meat to go from novelty to norm, it must meet the dietary needs of diverse communities, including the over one billion people who follow Halal standards,” said Mirte Gosker, managing director of the Good Food Institute APAC.

The Bigger Picture
With approximately 200,000 Muslims in South Korea—40% of whom live in Seoul—the domestic market is modest but growing. However, the real opportunity lies in the global Halal market, which spans continents and cultures. For companies like Simple Planet, Halal certification isn’t just a religious endorsement; it’s a strategic move to reach a broader audience.

As the cultivated meat industry continues to evolve, the intersection of technology, faith, and food will play a pivotal role in shaping its future. The KMF’s fatwa is more than a religious ruling—it’s a testament to how innovation can adapt to tradition, creating new possibilities for what we eat and how we eat it.

A Vision for the Future
The implications of this ruling extend far beyond the dinner table. Cultivated meat has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from climate change and animal welfare to global food security. By aligning with Halal standards, the industry is taking a crucial step toward inclusivity, ensuring that this revolutionary technology can benefit everyone, regardless of their faith.

As Simple Planet and other companies work to bring Halal-certified cultivated meat to market, they are not just creating a new category of food—they are redefining what it means to eat ethically, sustainably, and in accordance with one’s beliefs. In a world where food is often a source of division, this is a rare opportunity for unity.