Florida House Representative Tyler Sirois (R-51) recently introduced a bill to the legislature that would ban cultivated meat products (also known as “lab-grown meat,” “cell-based meat,” or “cultured meat” products) in the state.
House Bill 435 (HB 435), which defines “cultivated meat” as “any meat or food product produced from cultured animal cells,” aims to prohibit the manufacture, sale, holding or offering for sale, or distribution of cultivated meat in Florida. If passed, violation of the bill would be punishable as a misdemeanor of the second degree under state law, which comes with a fine of up to $1,000. In addition to the penalties for second degree misdemeanors, the license of any restaurant, store, or other business may be suspended upon the conviction of an owner or employee of the establishment for violation of the bill in connection with the business.