Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a bill making it illegal to sell lab-grown meat in the state.
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the country’s first lab-grown chicken, meat produced from chicken cells without harming or slaughtering the animals.
Supporters say lab-grown meat can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the risk of disease, pollution and the destruction of wild habitats.
But the concept of lab-produced meat has raised concerns among many policymakers. In Texas, where ranching is a major livelihood, officials worry about the potential impact on traditional industries.
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“This ban is a massive win for Texas ranchers, producers, and consumers,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. “Texans have a God-given right to know what’s on their plate, and for millions of Texans, it better come from a pasture, not a lab. It’s plain cowboy logic that we must safeguard our real, authentic meat industry from synthetic alternatives.”
Texas is not the first state to enact such a ban. Florida and Alabama have passed similar laws.
Violating the Texas law, which goes into effect in September, could result in a felony charge and/or a fine of up to $25,000.
