Lawsuit challenges Florida's ban on lab-grown meat
Upside Foods, a leading company in the cultivated meat sector, has initiated legal action against Florida for its prohibition on lab-grown meat. The lawsuit, filed in partnership with the Institute of Justice (a nonprofit law firm), contends that this state legislation is unconstitutional. The law was enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis in May as an attempt to counter, what he termed as "the global elite's plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs."
Allegations against Florida's ban
The lawsuit alleges that Florida's ban on lab-grown meat is designed to safeguard the state's cattle industry, and infringes upon clauses of the constitution. It also asserts violation of federal laws governing inspection and distribution of meat and poultry products. Paul Sherman, a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice, stated that "Our Constitution gives Congress the power to create and enforce a national common market so people can make decisions for themselves about what products they want to buy."
Florida's ban on lab-grown meat: A protectionist move?
The lawsuit suggests that the signing event for SB 1084, where DeSantis was flanked by cattle ranchers and stood behind a 'SAVE OUR BEEF' sign, indicates an intention to shield local cattle industry from outside competition. However, Wilton Simpson, Florida's Agriculture Commissioner and a defendant in the lawsuit, dismissed these allegations as "ridiculous." He maintained lab-grown 'meat' has not been proven safe enough for consumers, and accused it of being part of a liberal agenda aimed at shutting down farms.
Upside Foods refutes safety concerns
Upside Foods argues that the ban is about protectionism rather than food safety. The company highlights that its products were declared safe to eat by the Food and Drug Administration in 2022, and approved for sale by the US Department of Agriculture in 2023. The lawsuit also claims that Florida's ban has adversely affected Upside's operations in other states, creating a "growing patchwork of conflicting state laws governing cultivated meat."
Ban on lab-grown meat disrupts Upside's partnerships
The complaint reveals that Upside had begun a partnership with a Miami-based chef before Florida's ban on lab-grown meat came into effect on July 1. The chef had planned to host a tasting event featuring Upside's products at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami on February 20, 2025. However, these plans have now been halted due to potential criminal penalties for Upside and its potential business partners.
