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Committee approves permit and labeling rules for cultured (lab-grown) protein; penalty tied to misbranding
Summary
Senate Bill 931 creates an annual $1,000 manufacturer permit for cultured protein and a $2,000 penalty for misbranding; sponsor said the bill does not ban the product but requires labeling that makes clear the product "is not meat." Senators asked about the scope of the fine and the bill's language was clarified to apply per misbranded product.
Senate Bill 931 (amended, drafting code 5874) would require manufacturers of cultured protein—sometimes described as lab-grown meat—to obtain an annual $1,000 permit from the Department of Agriculture before sale in Tennessee, and would bar labeling the product as "meat." The sponsor, Senator Rose, told the committee the bill does not ban cultured protein; instead it creates a permit system and a labeling requirement.
"Before this product can be sold in Tennessee, an annual permit of $1,000 must be obtained by the manufacturer. Additionally, this product cannot be labeled meat. Any product that is mislabeled will accrue a fine of $2,000 per package," Rose said, describing the sponsor's talking points from the House sponsor.
Senator Yarbrough asked how the $2,000 penalty compares to other fines in state law and whether approved products already on the market would have to change branding. Rose replied the bill would require labeling that the product "is not meat" and that fines would apply if products were mislabeled. Senator Hale clarified the bill's language to say the fine applies "for each product misbranded rather than each package."
The committee adopted the amendment, voted to advance the bill by roll call (9 ayes), and sent the measure to the calendar.
