- On May 7, 2024, Alabama Governor Ivey signed SB 23 which bans the sale of cultivated meat in the state. Specifically, the law will make it “unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, hold or offer for sale, or distribute any cultivated food product” in the state.
- The bill defines “cultivated food product” as “any food product produced from cultured animal cells.” A violation of the ban by food sales establishments may result in civil penalties, or disciplinary actions, such as suspension or revocation of their food safety permits. Violations are considered a Class C misdemeanor. However, the bill does allow state research and development on cultivated products to continue. The act will become effective October 1, 2024.
- Alabama is now the second state in the US to sign this sort of ban into law. As we previously reported, Florida Governor DeSantis signed SB 1084 on May 1, 2024, banning the sale of “cultivated meat.”
- Keller and Heckman will continue to monitor and relay any developments in the cultivated food space.
