Strategic Partnership Drives Global Market Access

Seoul-based biotechnology startup Simple Planet has announced its intention to pursue halal certification for its cellular agriculture products, representing a significant strategic move to access the expanding global halal food market. This certification initiative builds upon a recent partnership established with Thailand’s prestigious Halal Science Center (HSC) at Chulalongkorn University through a formal Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2025.

The collaboration aims to streamline the certification process specifically for cell-based food products while facilitating Simple Planet’s expansion into halal markets worldwide. This partnership positions the company to navigate the complex requirements of halal certification within the emerging cellular agriculture sector.

Breakthrough in Serum-Free Production Technology

A critical advancement supporting Simple Planet’s halal certification goals is their development of an innovative edible, serum-free culture medium utilizing probiotics-derived metabolites. This technological breakthrough addresses one of the primary challenges in making cell-based foods compatible with halal dietary requirements.

Traditional cell cultivation often relies on fetal bovine serum and other animal-derived components that present complications for halal certification. Simple Planet’s probiotics-derived metabolites offer a naturally permissible alternative, as these substances are inherently free from haram (forbidden) materials, eliminating concerns about animal-derived ingredients that could compromise halal status.

Religious Authority Recognition Provides Validation

Simple Planet’s certification efforts received significant support through a groundbreaking Fatwa issued by the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), which officially recognizes cell-based food products and ingredients as halal-compliant. This religious ruling represents only the second such declaration globally, following a similar precedent established by Singapore’s Islamic Religious Council (MUIS).

The KMF Fatwa provides crucial religious validation for Simple Planet’s technology and creates a pathway for broader acceptance of cell-based foods within Muslim communities. This endorsement serves as an important milestone in establishing consumer confidence and regulatory acceptance for cellular agriculture products in halal markets.

Certification Requirements and Compliance Standards

The Korea Muslim Federation has established specific criteria for cell-based ingredients to achieve halal certification status. Products must originate from halal-approved sources and undergo manufacturing processes that strictly adhere to established halal principles throughout production.

Despite the favorable Fatwa ruling, Simple Planet must still undergo comprehensive facility inspections and production process evaluations to secure final halal certification. These inspections will verify that all manufacturing operations, equipment, and procedures meet stringent halal standards before official certification can be granted.

Vision for Global Food Security Solutions

CEO Dominic Jeong articulated the company’s broader mission beyond market expansion, emphasizing Simple Planet’s commitment to addressing global food security challenges exacerbated by climate change. The company positions its cell-based ingredient technology as a solution for creating stable food supplies that remain unaffected by environmental disruptions and weather-related agricultural challenges.

Jeong explained that by developing reliable cell-based ingredients and establishing sustainable production systems, Simple Planet aims to improve global access to nutritious foods while contributing to worldwide food security initiatives. The company views halal certification as an integral component of making these innovative food solutions accessible to diverse populations, including the substantial global Muslim consumer base that represents a significant portion of the world’s food market.

Original Article:

Cultivated-X. (2025, September 15). Simple Planet moves closer to halal certification with new serum-free technology. Cultivated-X. Retrieved from https://cultivated-x.com/company-news/simple-planet-moves-closer-to-halal-certification-with-new-serum-free-technology/