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States picking up cultured-protein labeling legislation

The National Ag Law Center says legislation to regulate cell-cultured proteins has been on the rise at the state level.

Elizabeth Rumley tells Brownfield, “I think that we will just continue to see what states decide to do in their individual state, whether we come up with this cohesive framework that’s moved to the federal level, or if we have a state-by-state sale or labeling requirement.”

She says cell-cultured protein labeling laws are in place or under consideration in about 20 states.

“They require them to add specific disclaimers to the label, so if disclaimers like cell cultured, possibly, or sort of the opposite side of that, they have requirements about words they cannot use,” she explains.

Three states have outright bans on the products, and Rumley says Indiana could be next in line.

“There is a temporary ban, a moratorium, and it would temporarily ban the manufacturing and sale of cultivated meat for a period of two years that has passed the House and the Senate and is with the governor right now,” she explains.

Florida’s ban is currently being challenged for discriminating against interstate commerce, and Rumley says she expects to see similar litigation for the next several years.

Cultured proteins are regulated by USDA post-harvest, but the department has yet to finalize product labeling requirements.