Texas Law Prohibits Sale of Lab-Grown Meat Until September 2027, Mandates Labeling Thereafter
Texas has enacted Senate Bill 261, which temporarily bans the sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption within the state until September 1, 2027. This prohibition specifically targets products made using animal cells. Following this temporary ban, any qualifying lab-grown meat products sold in Texas will be required to carry specific labels, such as “cell-cultured” or “lab-grown.” This legislation is part of a broader effort by Texas to establish its own regulatory framework for alternative and cultivated foods, distinguishing its approach from other states. The law does not, however, apply to precision-fermented egg proteins like OvoPro, as these are produced using microorganisms rather than animal cells. A federal lawsuit challenging Texas' cultivated-meat ban, brought by Wildtype and UPSIDE Foods, is currently proceeding, though the ban remains in effect during the litigation. 
