11. March 2025
Mississippi Bans Cultivated Meat Amid Growing National Backlash
Mississippi House Passes Bill Banning Cultivated Meat Production in State
The Mississippi House of Representatives has passed a bill making it illegal for anyone to manufacture, sell, or distribute cultivated meat in the state. This move marks another milestone in the growing trend of states banning lab-grown meat products, making Mississippi the third state to do so after Florida and Alabama.
The bill, introduced by Republican representatives Bill Pigott and Lester Carpenter in January 2025, passed both houses without a single vote in opposition. It awaits the signature of Governor Tate Reeves, with the law becoming effective unless he chooses to veto it. The legislation carries penalties for violating the ban, including fines of up to $500 and/or up to three months in county jail.
Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson has been vocal about his opposition to cultivated meat, supporting a 2019 bill that prevented cultivated meat products from being labeled as meat in the state. More recently, he published a blog post commending the cultivated meat bans in Florida and Alabama. Suzi Gerber, executive director of the Association for Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation, describes the bill’s passage as “political theater.” However, she acknowledges that the actual impact of the law may be minimal, given that cultivated meat has not been commercially available in any of these states.
The cultivated meat industry has faced significant headwinds in recent times. Investors have become increasingly cautious, with just $226 million invested in cultivated meat startups in 2023 compared to $922 million in 2022. Some major players, such as Upside Foods and SciFiFoods, have been forced to lay off workers or shut down due to declining investor enthusiasm.
Despite these challenges, there are signs that the industry is beginning to weather the storms. On March 8, San Francisco-based cultivated meat company Mission Barns announced that the FDA had no further questions about the safety of its cultivated pork fat product. This development marks an important step towards obtaining approval from the FDA, a crucial regulatory body in the US.
The FDA’s approval process for cultivated meat products is critical because it not only provides a safe pathway to market but also helps build consumer confidence in lab-grown meat. Currently, only two companies – Upside Foods and Eat Just – have received a letter from the FDA indicating that their products meet certain safety standards.
In recent years, several states have passed laws or introduced legislation aimed at regulating or banning cultivated meat. These moves reflect growing concerns about industrial agriculture practices, as well as a desire to protect consumers from what they perceive as untested and potentially unhealthy food products.
The Association for Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation has been actively advocating for more stringent regulations on lab-grown meat products. According to Gerber, the industry’s growth is being hindered by lack of clarity around labeling and packaging provisions.
The situation is complex, with different regulatory bodies having varying levels of jurisdiction over food safety issues. The FDA regulates food safety, while the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) handles labeling and certification standards for meat products.
As cultivated meat continues to evolve, it’s likely that more states will take a closer look at this emerging technology. Some argue that lab-grown meat offers significant benefits in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving animal welfare. Others express concerns about the potential impact on small-scale farmers and rural communities.
Meanwhile, neighboring states are also considering regulations or bans on cultivated meat. A bill introduced in Georgia would make it illegal to sell cultivated meat products, while a similar proposal was recently submitted in Nebraska at the request of Governor Jim Pillen.
The federal government is also taking notice, with growing pressure on lawmakers to develop comprehensive regulatory frameworks that balance industry needs with consumer concerns about food safety and labeling.
In Mississippi, where the latest ban on cultivated meat is now waiting to be signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves, there are already signs of life in the industry. As companies like Mission Barns continue to push forward with their products, it remains to be seen whether this state’s lawmakers will ultimately support or hinder their progress.
The debate over lab-grown meat has only just begun, and as more states weigh in on its future, we can expect a nuanced conversation about ethics, sustainability, and consumer rights that will shape the course of food production for years to come.