As the lab-grown meat industry gains traction with federal backing and high-profile investments, several U.S. states are taking a stand against the sale and distribution of these products, raising questions about the future of this innovative food sector.
What Happened: Several U.S. states are introducing bills aimed at curbing the sale and distribution of lab-grown meats, despite having received the green light from federal authorities and attracting significant investment interest, The Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Since the beginning of the year, Republican legislators in at least seven states have put forward proposals targeting the nascent industry of edible proteins cultivated from animal cells. This legislative effort follows the federal government’s endorsement of lab-grown chicken as safe for human consumption last year.
Currently, this modern cuisine is only available at a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco and a Washington eatery owned by renowned chef José Andrés.
Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has publicly criticized lab-grown meat, linking it to a “woke” ideology.
Tennessee representative Bud Hulsey (R-Tenn.) also expressed opposition in a March hearing.
"Some folks would probably like to eat bugs with Bill Gates, but not me," he said.
"I think the Nuremberg code was all set up so you would not experiment on human people with new products and new experimentations without it being tested and tried and found out what it can do. We just came through Covid with an experimental shot that had a whole lot more problems than anyone wanted to talk about."
A bill to prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat has been pushed forward in Florida and now awaits Governor DeSantis’ decision. This move is reminiscent of similar legislation passed in Italy last year, which may encounter legal obstacles for potentially violating EU single-market rules.
Paul Shapiro, CEO of Better Meat, has voiced concerns that political agendas and domestic protectionism are hindering the growth of the industry, which received investments totaling $896 million in 2022. The sector has drawn capital from firms such as Temasek, the Abu Dhabi Growth Fund, and billionaires like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.
Sean Edgett, chief legal officer at Upside Foods, has denounced the state bills as blatant efforts to protect the traditional meat industry. He stressed that cultivated meat is intended as an alternative, not a replacement, for conventional meat, especially considering the escalating global demand.
Why It Matters: Last year, a company backed by Gates received USDA approval, marking a significant milestone for the lab-grown meat industry. This approval was a signal of federal support for the sector, which is expected to play a role in meeting the increasing protein demands of a growing global population.
More recently, Bezos joined Gates in supporting the industry, underscoring the potential that high-profile investors see in this alternative protein source. Their involvement highlights the industry’s promise to address environmental concerns associated with traditional meat production, as noted in a report on the rise of 3D-printed steaks and their relevance to ESG-focused investors.
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