NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Alternative protein regulations continue to advance through state legislatures and courts, raising new legal questions for livestock producers, food companies, and retailers.
Emily Stone with the National Agricultural Law Center says 2026 has already brought several rulings and new state laws tied to cell-cultured, plant-based, insect-based, and other substitute proteins.
The state-level focus is split between labeling and sales restrictions. Stone says 23 states now have laws that set specific labeling requirements for alternative proteins, while 8 states have passed restrictions on the sale or manufacture of cell-cultured proteins.
This year, South Dakota passed a temporary ban on cell-cultured protein sales, while Mississippi became the first state to ban cultivated dairy. Ohio, Virginia, and Idaho added new labeling rules.
Courts are also weighing in. Decisions in Texas and Florida addressed federal preemption, First Amendment, and commerce-related claims.
In agriculture, the debate centers on consumer clarity, market fairness, and the use of traditional livestock terms.
Agricultural groups continue to push back against lab-grown meat products as lawmakers work on legislation focused on food labeling standards.
Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) told AgInfo.net the proposed FAIR Labels Act could help eliminate confusion around lab-grown and plant-based meat labeling.
“For years, lab-grown and plant-based protein products have used traditional beef labeling terms, creating consumer confusion throughout the marketplace,” Lane said. “The FAIR Labels Act is a critical step toward protecting the integrity of real food animal products and ensuring consumers have clear, accurate information at the meat case. We welcome the growing bipartisan effort to address mislabeling on these manufactured products, and we encourage Congress to swiftly pass the FAIR Labels Act.”
The legislation currently has sponsors in both chambers of Congress. Meanwhile, Florida became the first state to ban cultivated meat in 2024.
