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Senate committee hears competing views on labeling for cell‑cultured meat and poultry
Summary
Senate File 239 would require clear labeling for cell‑cultured meat and poultry products; livestock groups and farmers urged transparency, while industry and cable/infrastructure interests urged consistent federal alignment and regulatory clarity. The bill was laid over as amended.
Sen. Dreheim presented Senate File 239, which would require clear and accurate labeling of cell‑cultured (also termed cell‑cultivated) meat and poultry products sold in Minnesota. The committee adopted technical amendments allowing flexibility in labeling language to align with federal terminology and laid the bill over for possible inclusion.
Supporters from livestock and farm organizations — including Caitlin Root, executive director of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association, and Tessa Sedai Parks of the Farmers Union — said labeling preserves transparency and a level playing field for family farms. "Clear labeling is not just a matter of consumer choice. It's about fair competition," Root said.
Daniel Gertner of the Good Food Institute testified for the cell‑cultivated industry, saying cultivated products are a supplementary protein option regulated by USDA and FDA and that Minnesota could be a leader in alternative‑protein manufacturing. Gertner said the bill’s amended language improves consistency with federal guidance by allowing either "cell cultured" or "cell cultivated" terminology.
The Department of Agriculture noted that if the product is labeled as "meat" it may fall under food‑inspection frameworks; adopting federal food code language was discussed. Committee members asked whether cultivated products are cost‑competitive today; witnesses said the technology is still developing and that clarity for consumers is the primary legislative aim.
Ending: The committee laid the amended bill over for possible inclusion. Testimony showed broad agreement on transparency but differing views on industry development and federal regulatory alignment.
