The Growing Controversy Over Cultivated Meat: Navigating the New Regulatory Landscape

On May 1, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting the sale, holding, or distribution of cultivated meat in the state of Florida. This legislation defines "cultivated meat" as "any meat or food product produced from cultured animal cells," encompassing a broad range of products beyond just meat. The law applies to any food or drink for human consumption, including components and dietary supplements.

Read the full article.

About the author
Christine Lawson

Transcript

Welcome to womble perspectives, where we explore a wide range of topics, from the latest legal updates to industry trends to the business of law. Our team of lawyers, professionals and occasional outside guests will take you through the most pressing issues facing businesses today and provide practical and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever changing legal landscape. 

With a focus on innovation, collaboration and client service, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and to the communities we serve. And now our latest episode.

Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown or cell-cultured meat, is facing challenges in the U.S. beyond FDA approval.

On May 1, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting the sale, holding, or distribution of cultivated meat in the state of Florida. This legislation defines "cultivated meat" as "any meat or food product produced from cultured animal cells," encompassing a broad range of products beyond just meat. The law applies to any food or drink for human consumption, including components and dietary supplements.

Violating the law constitutes a misdemeanor offense, with penalties including potential suspension of business licenses for restaurants, stores, or other entities found in breach. The stated motivation behind this law, as articulated by Governor DeSantis and Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, is to protect traditional farmers and maintain the integrity of American agriculture.

The primary motivation for Florida's ban on cultivated meat is to safeguard the interests of traditional farmers. Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of "saving our beef," reflecting a broader sentiment that cultivated meat could threaten conventional livestock farming. 

Supporters of the ban argue that traditional farming practices are integral to the nation's heritage and economy. They contend that cultivated meat, while innovative, poses risks to the livelihoods of farmers who rely on conventional methods. Additionally, there are concerns about the long-term health implications of consuming lab-grown meat, as well as the environmental and ethical considerations of large-scale production.

Following Florida's lead, several other states, including Alabama, Arizona, and Tennessee, are considering similar bans on cultivated meat. 

In Alabama, the proposed bill would ban all food products produced from cultured animal cells, yet it allows for research by federal, state, and local government entities, as well as educational institutions, recognizing the potential benefits of cultivated food products for space travel and other applications. In contrast, Arizona's proposed legislation not only prohibits the production and sale of cultivated food products but also introduces severe penalties. Violators could face fines of up to $25,000, and individuals adversely affected by violations could sue for damages, including attorney's fees and costs. Meanwhile, Tennessee's proposed bill includes stringent fines for violations, with penalties reaching up to $1,000,000 if the Agriculture Commissioner determines that the law has been breached. 

The enactment of Florida's ban raises questions about the future trajectory of cultivated meat in the United States. Will other states follow suit, leading to a patchwork of regulations that complicate the market? Or will there be a push for federal intervention to create a unified framework?

As we have previously written, cultivated meat is gaining ground.  However, the road to acceptance includes some regulatory roadblocks.  Stay tuned for further updates.  

Thank you for listening to womble perspectives. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, please visit the show notes where you can find links to related resources mentioned today. 

The show notes also have more information about our attorneys who provided today's insights, including ways to reach out to them. Don't forget to subscribe via your podcast player of choice so that you never miss an episode. Thank you again for listening.