Cultivated meat, food safety regulation, and meat production scaling are redefining the future of global protein. Join host Katy Jones, CEO of Trustwell, as she welcomes Eric Schulze, a pioneer who helped build the scientific and regulatory foundation for cell culture meat technology. In this deep dive, Eric reveals the "design constraint to regulation" strategy used to secure the historic first FDA approval and discusses the "trough of disillusionment" the industry currently faces as it moves toward commercialization. This episode provides a masterclass in regulatory affairs and food industry standards, explaining the two-agency solution between the FDA and USDA that governs this transformative emerging field.

The discussion highlights how food system innovation is moving beyond traditional carcass breakdown toward a "cell-up" design approach, allowing scientists to connect the genome of a product to specific performance characteristics like texture and moisture. Eric explains why the whole game now is scaling—hitting cost points and achieving gross margin positivity—while navigating a complex groundswell of state-level protectionist policies. From safety evaluation protocols to the necessity of supply chain visibility and traceability compliance, this conversation offers a roadmap for how Smart Brands win in the next decade of food tech. Whether you are focused on quality assurance or food formulation expertise, Eric’s insights on risk-based regulation and the "I get to" mentality of innovation provide essential context for the next step in food evolution.

Trustwell reConnect On-Demand is here! 🖥️

If you work in the food industry, you know that staying ahead of regulations is a constant battle. That’s where Trustwell reCONNECT On-Demand comes in.

We recently hosted our annual virtual summit, bringing together hundreds of industry experts to discuss the future of food safety, traceability, and compliance. Now, you can access the entire library of sessions, featuring actionable insights from brands like Taco John's and Wawa, focusing on everything from FSMA 204 compliance to quality management and supply chain resilience.

Don't miss out on the strategies you need to lead your team. Access the complete reCONNECT On-Demand library for free by visiting: https://www.trustwell.com/reconnect/

Connect with the team:
👉 Katy Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyjonespr/
👉 Trustwell: https://www.trustwell.com/
👉 Eric Schulze on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-richards-30840b77/
👉 Evergreen Website: https://evergreen.food/

You can also listen to our podcast here:
👉 Apple - https://apple.co/47afWXM
👉 Spotify - https://bit.ly/4lIA1KP
👉 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3YpdUQW
👉 Fame Host - https://foodtechtalk.co