Florida sued over ban on lab‑grown meat by Upside Foods

Upside Foods has filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida, claiming that the ban on the sale of lab-grown meat is unconstitutional. The law aims to protect people from being forced to eat insects and artificial meat.

Upside Foods, specializing in the production of lab-grown meat, argues that the state's ban on such products is unconstitutional. The ban, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, is portrayed as a measure to "fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals." It has been criticized as an attempt to protect the local livestock industry.

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

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson called the lawsuit "ridiculous," highlighting the deep divisions regarding artificial meat.

Upside Foods emphasizes that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed their products safe in 2022, and 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 its operations within the state but also complicates cooperation with national meat distributors and limits expansion opportunities due to similar laws inspired by it in other states.

In its lawsuit, Upside Foods appeals for the ban to be declared unconstitutional and seeks temporary and permanent remedies to prevent its enforcement.

The situation has complicated the company's plans, including participating in the Art Basel fair in Miami before the controversial law took effect. At a press conference, Paul Sherman, a lawyer from the Institute for Justice representing Upside Foods, expressed hope for a quick resolution. He emphasized that consumers should decide whether to consume lab-grown meat rather than 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. Considering the development of this industry, attention should also be paid to the overall cost-effectiveness of the production process in terms of energy consumption and potential environmental pollution compared to naturally sourced meat.