Food establishments are required to disclose if their products contain cell-cultured meat or plant-based alternatives in Georgia.
Representative Jordan Ridley introduced House Bill 163 on January 28. His goal is to enhance transparency in food labeling within the state’s food service industry.
“This bill, at the very least, would provide transparency on what is being used in our food when we go out to eat,” said Rep. Ridley, according to Public Now. “Folks shouldn’t have to question what type of meat or poultry product they are paying to eat.”
Under HB 163, “conventional meat” is defined as products derived entirely or partly from the carcasses of animals such as cattle, swine, sheep, goats, fish, shellfish, and poultry.
Cell-cultured meat refers to food products made from animal muscle or organ tissues. Plant-based alternatives are foods produced from plants. Both are designed to have a similar taste, texture and appearance as meat.
Georgia joined South Dakota and South Carolina in making similar laws. Florida and Alabama have outright banned all cultivated meat.
As of February 12, the House Committee favorably reported HB 163 and awaits further deliberation in the Georgia House of Representatives. Restaurants across Georgia that offer these food items must update their menus and advertising. Managers must also train their staff to answer questions about dietary and label information.
Supporters of the bill claim that it promotes honesty toward consumers by ensuring they are fully informed about the food they purchase. Critics from the alternative protein industry caution that this law could burden plant-based and cultivated meat producers more. This might discourage the market for these products and potentially lead to the shutdown of operations.