Little to be Found: Bans on Lab-Grown Meat Products
Two U.S. states and one European country are banning manufacturing, selling, and distributing cultivated meat and poultry products.
Italy enacted a ban last year, and Florida and Alabama enacted their laws on the books in only the last few days.
The bans were enacted after the robust cultivated meat industry saw billions in investments but did not leave it with a widely available commercial product. Just as product samples would go a long way toward building support, so would the filing of a Novel food application with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The EFSA is the European Union’s agency that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain. Lab-cultivated products have won approval from the FDA and USDA in the United States, but some are waiting for a tougher review by EFSA.
Nonetheless, the latest to pass into law is Alabama Senate Bill 23, which makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, hold or offer for sale, or distribute any cultivated food product in the state. “Cultivated food product” means any food produced from cultured animal cells.
Anyone violating the new law can be found guilty of a misdemeanour. A food sales establishment found violating the ban could have its food safety permits suspended or revoked. The Alabama law allows state research and development on cultivated products to continue. The ban becomes effective on Oct 1, 2024.
Without producing much in the way of cultivated projects, about 150 companies worldwide have enlisted in the industry, including 43 based in the United States.
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