Lab‑grown meat controversy: Upside Foods sues Florida over sales ban

Upside Foods, specialising in the production of lab-grown meat, has lodged a lawsuit against the state of Florida, arguing the state ban on the sale of such products is unconstitutional. The ban, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, is portrayed as a way to "fight against the global elite who want to force the world to eat test-tube meat or insects." It has been criticised as an attempt to protect the local livestock industry.

According to The Verge, Upside Foods, supported by the Institute for Justice, a non-profit organisation, argues that this law violates both the constitutional clauses regarding supremacy and interstate commerce, as well as federal meat product regulations.

The reaction from the government side, by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, who called the lawsuit "ridiculous," points to deep divisions around the topic of artificial meat.

Upside Foods emphasizes that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed their products safe in 2022, while the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the sale of their products and those of the competing company Good Meat a year later. The company argues that the Florida ban not only hinders their operations within the state but, due to similar laws inspired by it in other states, complicates cooperation with national meat distributors and limits expansion opportunities.

In its lawsuit to the court, Upside appeals for the ban to be deemed unconstitutional and for the introduction of temporary and permanent remedies to prevent its enforcement.

The situation has complicated the company's plans, including participation in the Art Basel fair in Miami before the controversial law took effect. At a press conference, Paul Sherman, a lawyer from IJ representing Upside, expressed hope for a quick resolution of the case, emphasising that consumers should decide for themselves whether they want to consume lab-grown meat, instead of being restricted by legal mandates.

According to Sherman, states should not block access to products approved at the federal level, highlighting the role of consumer choice in shaping the market.

The topic of artificial meat stirs controversy among consumers. When considering the development of this industry, it would also be worth paying attention to the overall cost-effectiveness of the production process in the context of energy consumption and potential environmental pollution compared to naturally sourced meat.