Florida became the first state to ban lab-grown meat in May, causing a new legal battle to emerge. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the future of food technology and regulation in the United States.
A cultured meat company is at the head of the lawsuit. Upside Foods, a California-based company that grows and sells lab-grown meats, filed a suit against Florida officials, claiming it violates the Constitution’s supremacy clause.
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Upside Foods argues that its product is “delicious meat” produced in facilities resembling breweries, not the traditional lab. The company was planning on selling its lab-grown meat products in Miami starting in December.
Last year saw federal approval for “cell-cultured” meat, which came on June 21, 2023. The USDA approved the meat for two American manufacturers, the aforementioned Upside Foods and Good Meat.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., signed the ban, aligning with cattle farmers and traditional agricultural interests. During an address, DeSantis said to “take your fake lab-grown meat elsewhere” and that the ban was important for the state of Florida.
Advocates for consumer choice emphasize the importance of allowing consumers, not politicians, to decide what kind of meat they want to buy.
Florida will soon be joined by neighboring Alabama in its ban of cultivated meat. The state is set to become the second to ban these products on Oct. 1.
