There is pork, chicken, lamb, beef, and other meats. There are plants designed to replace meat. There are foods produced with the assistance of a laboratory. There are various ways that farmland and ranch owners may be involved in the process to feed the world.
But new legislation in Iowa would require labels on those food products to accurately describe what is underneath. The labels would pertain to products that are meat and egg alternatives.
Supporters called it the “Meat Integrity Act.”
Labels in Iowa would be required to use words like “meatless,” “imitation,” “egg-free”, or “plant based” for alternative food products. Producers that fail to include the designated descriptors could be banned from distribution in Iowa school districts, community colleges, and public universities.
Arizona is another state that is considering legislation regarding food labeling. The bill’s sponsor wants additional information provided for lab-based food products. Another legislator tried to ban sales of those products, but that has failed to gain traction.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides guidance on cell-based food production:
“The FDA is continuing to work with firms that are developing food made from cultured animal cells to ensure that the processes used to produce them are safe and lawful under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. While it is a shared responsibility for the FDA and industry to ensure food is safe, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure they are marketing food that meets all applicable FDA requirements.”
