Lawsuit against Florida's lab-grown meat ban stays active after judge's ruling

In Florida, a federal lawsuit against the state's ban on lab-grown meat continues as a federal judge upheld one aspect of the case while dismissing four others. On April 25, 2025, Chief Judge Mark Walker of the Northern District of Florida ruled that the challenge arguing that Florida's restrictions unfairly favor local farmers over out-of-state competitors may proceed. However, the judge sided with state attorneys, ruling that federal approval for cultivated chicken does not prevent states from imposing such bans. U.S. regulators had previously authorized the sale of cell-cultured meat in June 2023, which advocates claim offers a more ethical and sustainable alternative to traditional meat. Despite this federal approval, Florida, along with Alabama and Mississippi, enacted laws banning the sale of lab-grown meat, arguing it threatens local agriculture. The lawsuit was initiated last year by Upside Foods, represented by the non-profit law firm Institute for Justice. Upside’s CEO, Uma Valeti, emphasized that the company is not trying to eliminate conventional meat but merely seeks to compete in the market, allowing consumers in Florida access to alternative meat options produced without animal slaughter. The ruling marks a significant move towards potentially overturning the state's restrictive measures, aiming to give residents the opportunity to explore lab-grown meats. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed the ban into law last year while surrounded by cattle farmers, has publicly stated his support for traditional agriculture and expressed disdain for what he calls 'fake lab-grown meat.' The ongoing lawsuit represents a clash between emerging food technologies and existing agricultural interests, underscoring the complexities of food regulation in the U.S. as consumer preferences shift and sustainability concerns mount.