Faux Meat Would get Labels to Distinguish it from Slaughtered Meat

Alternative meat products would need to be labeled with information about their contents, under a bill that received preliminary approval in the Iowa Senate. Senate Study Bill 3162 targets “manufactured meat” — products that are similar to meat from slaughtered animals but that are derived from stem cell cultures, insects, and plants.

The bill requires a label on the products that explains their sources to distinguish them from traditional meat. Failure to include that information — or describing the products with “a term identifiable with the slaughter of a food animal” — would be a crime. Nearly a dozen states have enacted labeling laws in recent years. 

“It’s going to be a huge issue,” Sen. Dawn Driscoll, R-Williamsburg, said of faux meat products competing with farm-produced meat. “We want to make sure that we are supporting the livestock producers.”

“Misbranding” the meat products would be a simple misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $855. Driscoll led a subcommittee that unanimously recommended the bill for further consideration. Sens. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, and Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, also supported the bill.

“Iowa cattle producers work very hard every day to bring nutritious meat to market,” said Jake Swanson, of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. He added, “We support fair competition in the marketplace, but we also need honesty.”

Read more from Jared Strong online at IowaCapitalDispatch.com

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