The US State of Florida, on May 1, 2024, became the first state in United States to officially ban lab-grown meat.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law, banning the manufacture and sale of lab-grown meat also called cultured or cultivated meat in the state.
He defended his action, saying it is to “Save Our Beef.”
This comes after US regulator, FDA, approved lab-grown meat as safe for consumption a year ago. The USDA also approved it for sale to the public.
Lab-grown chicken is actually on sale in markets and restaurants in US, especially the brand by two manufacturers in the state of California.
That did not stop the opposition.
The state of Alabama in April, 2024, passed a bill banning lab-grown meat, although it is yet to be signed into law.
A similar bill is before the legislators in US states of Arizona, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Is the US risking being left behind in this technology?
Proponents say no.
The law only bans the manufacture and sale of lab-grown meat in the affected states, but not research work on it.
