Five US States Ban Sale, Manufacture of Lab-Grown Meat

Several U.S. states, including Nebraska, Montana, Indiana, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, have enacted or proposed bans on the manufacture, sale, and distribution of lab-grown or cultivated meat products to protect traditional livestock industries. Nebraska's LB246, signed at the request of Governor Jim Pillen, prohibits all activities involving cultivated-protein foods and classifies lab-grown meat as an adulterated product subject to penalties. Montana's House Bill 401, signed by Governor Greg Gianforte, bans cell-cultured meat production and sales with strict penalties such as license suspension, fines, misdemeanor charges, and possible jail time, emphasizing the protection of the state's ranching economy. Indiana has imposed a two-year moratorium on lab-grown meat sales and manufacturing, effective from July 2025 to June 2027, with labeling requirements for cultivated meat post-moratorium. These legislative moves are driven by concerns over economic impact on agricultural sectors and skepticism about the sustainability and authenticity of lab-grown meat, despite debates on environmental benefits. The trend reflects a broader resistance among certain states to embrace lab-grown meat, prioritizing traditional meat industries and consumer clarity.