Nebraska sets rules for lab-grown meats

By Scout Nelson

In a move to safeguard traditional meat markets, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has issued an executive order targeting lab-grown or cell-cultured meat products. Announced at a local beef shop in Nebraska's leading county for beef production, the order prevents state agencies from purchasing such products, marking a symbolic yet significant stance in the country's top red-meat producing state.

Governor Pillen, who is also one of Nebraska’s largest pork producers, expressed concerns about the potential confusion lab-grown meats could cause among consumers. To combat this, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) will soon enforce rules that require cell-cultured meat products to be distinctly labeled and segregated from natural meats in retail settings. Pillen has also proposed to the state senators a future ban on the sale of lab-grown meats within Nebraska.

This initiative mirrors actions in other states like Florida and Alabama, which have already banned the sale of lab-grown meats. Iowa has gone further by mandating that such products be labeled as "fake," "imitation," or "lab-grown," and has prohibited their purchase by public institutions.

The NDA Director, Sherry Vinton, emphasized the importance of consumer transparency, announcing a public hearing on the draft regulations scheduled for October 8. Local producers like Hannah Klitz of Oak Barn Beef, where the executive order was signed, underscored the need for customer awareness about the origins of their food, citing the necessity for clarity to maintain consumer trust and meet expectations.

While lab-grown meats have begun appearing in some U.S. restaurants, with FDA and USDA approvals for lab-grown chicken products emerging last year, they remain absent from mainstream retail outlets. This regulatory effort by Nebraska aims to establish clear boundaries and maintain the integrity of the meat sold within the state.

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