A bipartisan bill has been introduced to Congress with the goal of setting labeling requirements for cell-cultivated and plant-based products that would clearly differentiate these alternative protein products from conventional meat and poultry.

The Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels Act (FAIR Labels Act) was introduced by Senators John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska). Companion legislation was introduced to the House by Representatives Mark Alford (R-Missouri), Mike Flood (R-Nebraska), and Buddy Carter (R-Georgia).

Specifically, the Fair Labels Act would amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to:

• Prohibit the sale of “mislabeled” cell-cultivated protein or plant-based alternative protein products
• Require alternative protein products to bear an “accurate” label.

Permitted label examples include “cell-cultivated protein burger,” “ground plant-based alternative protein,” and “alternative protein.” In contrast, examples of prohibited labels include “cruelty-free steak,” “cultivated beef burgers,” and “plant-based ground beef.”

The full bill text can be read here.