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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-03-26

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill requires cell-cultured meat and poultry products (grown from animal cells in a lab rather than from slaughtered animals) to be clearly labeled with qualifying terms like 'cell-cultured,' 'lab-grown,' or 'fake' in at least 20-point font near the product name if they use meat or poultry terminology. Products that fail to meet these labeling requirements are considered misbranded under North Carolina law.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill protects consumers by ensuring they know whether they are buying traditional meat or lab-grown alternatives, allowing informed purchasing decisions.
• •They contend clear labeling prevents deception and maintains consumer trust in food labeling, while also protecting traditional livestock farmers from market confusion that could harm their businesses.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue the labeling requirements are unnecessarily strict and could stigmatize cell-cultured products through terms like 'fake,' potentially hindering the growth of new food technology and innovation.
• •They might also contend that detailed labeling requirements could increase costs for producers of these alternative proteins and that federal FDA labeling standards should be sufficient without state-specific additional mandates.