News

Debate grows as South Dakota eyes cell-cultured meat ban

The South Dakota Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that would ban cell-cultured protein.

House Bill 1077 would make certain kinds of food, like lab-grown protein, illegal to sell in South Dakota by labeling them adulterated food. Adulterated food is defined in the bill as a filthy, decomposed or putrid animal or vegetable substance.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is in favor of the bill. Executive Director Doris Lauing tells Brownfield the bill promotes real food.

“Our product is superior, but we don’t want this product to be able to leak into us. We don’t want anything fake,” she says. “We want honesty and clarification. We don’t want chemicals…we don’t have any guarantees on the safety of this product.”

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association opposes the bill even though they aren’t supportive of cell-cultured meat.

Executive Director Taya Runyan says it’s important to protect the integrity of food safety systems, helping consumers avoid confusion and maintain trust in the inspection processes used for both lab-grown meat and real beef.

“Our food is inspected, it’s safe and consumers can have full faith and confidence that when they get real beef that’s been inspected, they’re getting something that’s wholesome and wonderful. We’re concerned when someone casts doubt on their ability to regulate one product, but not another. It’s confusing for consumers.”

Runyan says banning cell-cultured meat also opens up South Dakota to litigation. Lauing says legal challenges are possible, but not likely, and the state has money available if it happens.

It’s the second time a ban has been attempted in South Dakota. In 2025, an outright ban of cell-cultured protein was considered, but didn’t pass the state legislature.

Both say it’s unclear how South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden will respond if it passes the Senate.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Lauing.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Runyan.