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In recent news, Florida is considering taking a big step that could change what ends up on your dinner plate. Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing for Florida to say a firm “no” to lab-grown meat. This isn’t just talk; serious moves are being made to make sure this type of meat doesn’t find its way into Florida stores or menus.

Bills HB 1071 and SB 1084, introduced by Florida legislators, would outlaw cultivating and selling cell-cultivated meat in the Sunshine State. On March 6, a major move was made when the state’s House of Representatives passed SB 1084.

Now, all eyes are on Governor DeSantis as the bill awaits his signature. This could be a big deal for the future of food in Florida.

Understanding Cell-Cultivated Meat

Cell-cultivated meat is not your typical veggie burger or meat substitute like the Impossible Burger. Instead, it’s real meat grown from animal cells. Here’s how it works, based on what the Congressional Research Service (CRS) says:

1. Biopsy of animal cells: Scientists start by taking a small sample of animal cells.
2. Cell banking: These cells are then stored so that they can be used later.
3. Cell growth: The stored cells are encouraged to grow and multiply in a controlled environment.
4. Harvesting: Once there are enough cells, they are collected together.
5. Food processing: Finally, these cells are processed into meat that you can cook and eat.

This whole process is watched closely by two big organizations in the U.S.: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). There are about 150 companies worldwide working on making meat like this, with 43 of them in the U.S.

The CRS mentions that private investments have poured in about $3 billion to help it grow. On top of that, the National Science Foundation and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture have together added around $17 million in research grants. However, despite all this support and potential, some Florida lawmakers are still unconvinced.

A Growing Trend of Legislation Against Cell-Cultivated Meat Beyond Florida

Florida’s legislative efforts to limit cell-cultivated meat production and sales are part of a broader trend across the United States. Notably, Tennessee is contemplating a bill that could levy a $1 million fine on anyone selling cultivated meat within its borders.

Similarly, Alabama has already enacted legislation that categorizes the sale and manufacturing of cell-cultivated meat as a Class C felony, which carries a potential penalty of up to ten years in prison for violators.

Meanwhile, Texas has taken a different approach by focusing on how cultivated meat products are labeled and marketed, aiming to distinguish them from traditional meat products. Despite these regulatory hurdles in the U.S., the global perspective on cultivated meat remains optimistic.

Countries like South Korea and Israel have adopted laws that support the development of cultivated meat, seeing its potential to revolutionize the food industry.

The Netherlands, which was home to the development of the first cell-cultivated beef burger in 2013, has committed $65 million to support the industry’s growth. Furthermore, China has included cultivated meat in its five-year national food security plan, signaling strong international interest and investment that could drive the industry forward. This global shift towards alternative meat solutions highlights the ongoing search for sustainable and innovative food sources.

Interestingly, the science and technology behind developments such as cultivated meat have parallels in other fields, where research and innovation are also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. While it’s not clear how much cholesterol these meat alternatives will have, common medicines like Lipitor, which, while widely used to lower cholesterol, and Lipitor’s side effects in women are issues of great consideration. Further studies are still being carried out to ascertain the effects of alternative meat on the human body and what it means to individuals struggling with high cholesterol levels.