Avant’s Zellulin® ZelluGEN™ has achieved a milestone in the growing field of cellular agriculture by becoming the first non-food product to receive the C-Label certification. The C-Label, created by V-Label, is a standard that aims to ensure transparency and ethical practices in products derived from cellular agriculture.
“We are witnessing the transformative potential of cellular agriculture beyond the food sector”
Zellulin® ZelluGEN™, a multi-peptide complex derived from fish cells, is produced through cell cultivation rather than traditional animal sourcing, positioning it as a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to conventional peptides.
Renato Pichler, founder of V-Label, commented on the certification, saying, “With Zellulin®, we are witnessing the transformative potential of cellular agriculture beyond the food sector. This certification exemplifies our dedication to advancing sustainable and humane alternatives across various industries.”
The product, developed using Avant’s patented Zellulin® BioPlatform, marks an important step in expanding the scope of cellular agriculture beyond the food sector. ZelluGEN™ is cultivated without the need for ocean harvesting, thus contributing to the preservation of marine biodiversity, a key focus in global sustainability efforts. Its production method eliminates the environmental impact associated with animal-based peptide extraction, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Under Water).
Championing ethical practices
Lubo Yotov, head of C-Label, explained that the certification represents a step forward in applying ethical standards to all products derived from cellular agriculture. “We are excited to support innovations that align with our vision of a more compassionate and sustainable future,” he said.
C-Label certification requires adherence to a series of stringent criteria, including the use of animal-free media, ethical cell sourcing, and ensuring the absence of GMOs, antibiotics, pathogens, and heavy metals. Additionally, products must not be tested on animals.
“As technologies advance, so must the standards and language that help consumers understand them. We commend V-Label for its foresight in pioneering the C-Label, a timely and important step toward greater transparency and acceptance of novel sustainable food and biotech products,” said Carrie Chan, co-founder and CEO of Avant.
