Ron DeSantis prohibits lab-grown meat from ‘global elite’

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made headlines by banning lab-grown meat in the state, citing concerns about the “global elite” and their “authoritarian plans” to force people to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs. The first-in-the-nation law prohibits the sale or distribution of lab-grown meat in Florida, with similar efforts underway in Alabama, Arizona, and Tennessee.

Lab-grown meat, also known as “cultivated” meat, was first approved for consumption in the US in 2022. Proponents argue that it can help reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and free up land for nature compared to traditional meat production. The World Economic Forum has long touted lab-grown meat as an efficient and environmentally-friendly way to feed a growing global population.

The move has sparked a debate on unconventional food sources, with lobbyists pushing for the FDA to add insects like mealworms and crickets to its list of safe ingredients. These alternative protein sources have become a point of contention in the US culture wars, with some politicians raising concerns about government monitoring of people’s food choices.

Despite the controversy, Governor DeSantis and Florida’s agriculture commissioner Wilton Simpson have praised the new law as a “tremendous step in the right direction” to support traditional agriculture and cattle ranchers. However, not everyone is on board with the ban, as even Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania reluctantly agreed with DeSantis, calling it a “painful” decision.

Good Meat, a company that sells lab-grown meat, expressed disappointment in the new law, criticizing the government for dictating what consumers can and cannot purchase. The debate over lab-grown meat and alternative protein sources is likely to continue as the food industry grapples with sustainability and innovation.