Lab-grown meat banned

A bill barring the distribution or sale of cultivated-protein food products, or “lab-grown meat,” throughout the state received final approval from lawmakers May 14.

LB246, introduced by Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, prohibits the production, import, distribution, promotion, display or sale of any cultivated-protein food in Nebraska.

The bill defines cultivated-protein foods, in part, as “having one or more sensory attributes that resemble a type of tissue originating from an agricultural food animal but that, in lieu of being derived from meat processing, is derived from manufacturing cells.”

Under the bill, lab-grown meat will be considered an adulterated food product and prohibited from manufacture or sale in Nebraska. In addition to penalties for adulterated foods under the Pure Food Act, the production and sale of lab-grown meat will be subject to penalties under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, enforced by the attorney general.

LB246 passed on a 38-11 vote.