Florida lawmaker files bill prohibiting lab-grown meat

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, filed a bill this week for the 2024 Legislative Session that would ban the manufacturing and sale of cultivated meat, also called lab-grown meat.

As outlined in the bill, “cultivated meat” is defined as any meat or food product produced from cultured animal cells.

Under HB 435, it would be illegal to manufacture, sell or distribute cultivated meat in Florida.

Restaurant, business, or store owners found to be in violation of the law are subject to having their licenses revoked upon conviction. The act also applies to employees found to have broken the law.

If convicted, violators face a second degree misdemeanor. An immediate stop-sale order also would be initiated.

Under the proposal, the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services is authorized to adopt the rules.

If passed, HB 435 would take effect upon becoming law.