Mississippi Bans Sale of Lab-Grown Dairy Products

Mississippi lawmakers have passed House Bill 1153, which prohibits the sale of lab-grown dairy products within the state. The bill was approved without the governor's signature and is set to become law on July 1. This legislation makes Mississippi the first state in the United States to implement such a ban.

According to Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, this move is aimed at ensuring that consumers are not misled by products that do not meet traditional definitions of dairy. The law not only targets lab-grown dairy but also expands regulations concerning the labeling and sale of meat and related products. It aims to prevent 'misbranding' and updates state laws to clarify definitions for various protein products, including manufactured-protein, cultivated-protein, insect-protein, and plant-protein.

The legislation reflects growing concerns over the labeling and marketing of cell-cultured food products, which are increasingly entering the market. By defining and regulating these products, Mississippi aims to provide clearer guidance to both producers and consumers.