Florida Bans Lab-Grown Meat, Leading the Way Against Cultivated Food
Florida is taking a stand against lab-grown meat with a new law banning its production and distribution in the state. On May 1, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, making Florida the first state in the U.S. to prohibit the manufacturing and distribution of lab-grown meat, also known as cultivated meat because it is grown from animal stem cells.
DeSantis declared his intention to protect cattle ranchers and the "integrity of American agriculture" through the ban, urging the cultivation of lab-grown meat to take place elsewhere. While the new law excludes plant-based meat alternatives like Impossible meat, it directly targets the production of lab-grown meat.
“Today, Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals,” DeSantis said in a press release. “Our administration will continue to focus on investing in our local farmers and ranchers, and we will save our beef.”
The press released added:
“While the World Economic Forum is telling the world to forgo meat consumption, Florida is increasing meat production, and encouraging residents to continue to consume and enjoy 100% real Florida beef.”
Lab-grown meat is seen by many as a potential solution to the environmental and ethical issues surrounding traditional mass meat production. However, initially, the production costs of cultivated meat are estimated to be more than three times higher than those of natural beef, according to a 2021 analysis.
Non-profit think tank Good Food Institute cited research in The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, projecting that lab-grown meat could eventually become nearly three times more efficient than conventional beef production. This shift could reduce carbon emissions by 92%, land use by 90%, and water use by 66%.
Despite these potential benefits, DeSantis emphasized his commitment to Florida's local farmers and ranchers, expressing concerns over global leaders' efforts to promote lab-grown meat as an alternative. He emphasized that the state would focus on investing in traditional agriculture.
Florida's beef industry is substantial, ranking ninth in the nation for beef cattle production in 2024, with 862,000 beef cattle in the state. The industry generates an economic impact of over $900 million annually, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
