Florida sued over its ban on lab-grown meat
Upside Foods, a cultivated meat company, has filed a lawsuit against Florida, challenging the state’s ban on lab-grown meat as unconstitutional. Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis signed the ban into law in May, claiming it was a stand against global elites and their "authoritarian goals." Upside Foods, supported by the Institute of Justice, argues that the ban is intended to protect Florida’s cattle industry from competition and violates the Supremacy and Commerce Clauses of the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit also points out that the ban conflicts with federal regulations, as the USDA and FDA have approved the sale of cultivated meat products.
The lawsuit highlights how Florida’s ban has broader implications, not just for Upside Foods but also for other states considering similar legislation. Upside Foods had planned to introduce its products at events like the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and Art Basel Miami, but these plans are now jeopardized by the ban. The company is seeking a court declaration that the ban is unconstitutional and is asking for an injunction to be in place before their scheduled events. The case underscores the growing divide over alternative meat products in the U.S., with Florida's law potentially setting a precedent for other states.