Supporters of the new law said it will “prevent Texas consumers from being a science experiment.”
HOUSTON — While lab-grown meat might be gaining popularity nationwide, here in Texas, you won’t be seeing it on your plate anytime soon.
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that bans it in the Lone Star State.
Click here to read the bill that was signed into law.
What is lab-grown meat?
It’s real animal meat made by growing animal cells in a controlled environment outside the body of a living animal.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said the law will “prevent Texas consumers from being a science experiment.”
Since lab-grown meat is banned, consumers will not see it labeled as meat or as a meat alternative in Texas markets. This prevents any confusion between traditional meat and lab-grown products.
Other Texas bills signed into law, and vetoed:
The law takes effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of the law
The bill prohibits the sale or offering for sale of any “cell-cultured protein” for human consumption in Texas.
“Cell-cultured protein” is defined in the law as a food product derived from harvesting animal cells and artificially replicating those cells in a growth medium to produce tissue, not from animals raised traditionally.
This means no meat alternatives made by cell-culturing technology will be legally sold in Texas stores or restaurants.
Penalties for violations
Selling or offering to sell lab-grown meat is a new criminal offense (Class A misdemeanor), which can be enhanced to a state jail felony for repeat offenses.