Mississippi Passes Bill to Ban Lab-Grown Meat

Source: Feedstuffs

Mississippi’s legislature has passed a bill banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of lab-grown meat, imposing penalties of up to $500 in fines and three months of jail time for violations. Retailers who fail to comply could face disciplinary action or license suspension by the state health department.

Authored by Republican state Reps. Bill Pigott and Lester Carpenter, the bill now awaits the governor’s signature and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. It has the backing of Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, who supports strict labeling laws to prevent consumer confusion. Mississippi joins a growing number of states implementing labeling requirements or outright bans on cell-cultured meat. South Dakota, Florida, and Alabama have already passed similar laws, while others continue to debate the issue. The movement reflects broader state-level efforts to regulate lab-grown meat and protect traditional agriculture.