A legal challenge to Florida’s prohibition on “lab-grown” meat continues after a federal judge ruled to dismiss four parts of the lawsuit but allowed one key argument to proceed. This development occurred as Northern District of Florida Chief Judge Mark Walker decided to maintain a portion of the case, asserting that Florida’s rules might unconstitutionally benefit local farmers over those from other states. Simultaneously, the judge supported the state attorneys’ motion to reject parts of the lawsuit, agreeing with their rationale that federal authorization of cultivated chicken doesn’t restrict individual states from imposing their own bans.
In June 2023, U.S. regulators approved the sale of meat products known as “cell-cultured” or “cell-cultivated” meat. The lawsuit had contended that Florida’s legislative measures are overridden by federal statutes that govern the interstate commerce of meat and poultry items. Proponents of the product claim it offers a moral and sustainable alternative compared to traditionally farmed chicken, beef, and pork.
However, lawmakers in Florida, along with Alabama and Mississippi, have argued that lab-grown meat poses a threat to their agricultural industries, leading to the prohibition of such products, which are derived from animal cells cultivated with an assortment of proteins, vitamins, and water and then formed into products like nuggets, sausages, and steaks.
The complaint was initiated last year by Upside Foods, represented legally by the nonprofit Institute for Justice. Upside Foods’ CEO, Uma Valeti, emphasized in a statement that the company does not intend to replace conventional meat, acknowledging its continued place in the market. “We simply seek the opportunity to compete, allowing Floridians the chance to experience our product and realize that delicious meat can be enjoyed without animal slaughter. Today’s decision marks an important step toward achieving that goal,” Valeti stated.
Officials from the governor’s office and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have not yet issued responses to inquiries regarding the lawsuit. Last May, Governor Ron DeSantis, joined by cattle farmers, enacted the state’s ban on cultivated meat, emphasizing support for the state’s agricultural community.
“We stand with agriculture, supporting cattle ranchers and farmers, recognizing their vital role in the state’s foundation,” DeSantis declared. “Keep your fake lab-grown meat elsewhere.”