Florida has become the first state to ban the manufacture and distribution of lab-grown meat, also known as cultivated meat. The ban, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, is meant to protect cattle ranchers and the integrity of American agriculture. However, critics argue that the ban is misguided as the industry is still in its early stages and lab-grown meat has the potential to address environmental and ethical concerns. Other states, including Alabama, Arizona, and Tennessee, are considering similar measures. The ban does not include plant-based meat alternatives. The ban in Florida is seen as a way to protect the state's beef industry, which ranks ninth in beef cattle production and generates over $900 million annually. The ban has faced opposition from lawmakers who argue that it sends a negative message to researchers and investors. The safety of lab-grown meat has been approved by the FDA and USDA, but there are still questions about its health effects. Lab-grown meat is not considered vegan as it is taken from animal cells. Reviews of lab-grown chicken have been positive, with some saying it tastes like real chicken. No animals are slaughtered to make lab-grown meat, but cells from slaughtered livestock can be used. [7470c934]
Critics argue that US bans on lab-grown meat are a 'culture war own goal' that could hinder the country's ability to compete in the global market. The bans, which have been implemented in several states, are seen as a response to pressure from traditional meat producers who view lab-grown meat as a threat to their industry. However, proponents of lab-grown meat argue that it offers a more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional meat production. They believe that the bans are misguided and will stifle innovation and economic growth in the US. The debate over lab-grown meat reflects larger cultural and political divisions in the country. [54d58955]
In contrast to the US, lab-grown meat is making strides in other parts of the world. Vow, an Australian food-tech start-up, has begun sales of cultured Japanese quail in Hong Kong, marking the city as its second market after Singapore. The Aubrey at the Mandarin Oriental will introduce two dishes featuring Vow's products starting November 20, 2024. Vow received approval from the Singapore Food Agency in March 2024 and can produce 20,000 liters of cells annually, having already shipped over 10,000 servings. The company plans to expand into mainland China with local partners. Investment in the Asia-Pacific alternative-protein market surged 43% to US$562 million in 2022, and global cultivated-meat sales could reach US$25 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Avant Meat is focusing on cultivated seafood, and China's government has included lab-grown meat in its five-year agricultural development plan. [8645c666]
Lab-grown meat is not currently available in any U.S. grocery stores or restaurants. Florida and Arizona have banned the sale of cultivated meat and seafood, while Iowa has prohibited schools from buying lab-grown meat. Some lawmakers argue that these bans restrict consumer choices. The U.S. approved the sale of lab-grown meat in June 2023, allowing two California startups, Good Meat and Upside Foods, to sell cultivated chicken. However, politicians in seven states introduced legislation to ban cultivated meat. Italy and France have also banned the sale of lab-grown meat. Lab-grown meat and seafood are expensive to produce and are grown in steel tanks using cells from a living animal, a fertilized egg, or a storage bank. Companies are focused on scaling production and winning government approval. The bans aim to protect farmers and consumers, but cultivated meat companies argue that their products undergo rigorous safety tests. The bans could hinder the development of cultivated meat and seafood, which could be important for the economy and food security. The meat industry is divided on the bans, with some meat producers developing their own cultivated meat products and not supporting the bans. [2a3d530c]