Lab-grown meat now banned in Florida

Measure doesn’t target plant-based substitutes

Gov. Ron DeSantis started a beef with lab-grown meat, calling it a “threat” to Florida’s agriculture.

DeSantis signed a bill recently banning the manufacture and distribution of lab-grown meat within the state, seeking to protect cattle ranchers and the “integrity of American agriculture.”

“Florida is 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,” DeSantis said.

But in the wake of this news, many unfamiliar with cultivated meat have wondered if this bill will also affect vegan meat substitutes already for sale. Is “Impossible” meat considered lab-grown?

What is lab-grown meat?

Also referred to as “cultured meat” or “cultivated meat,” lab-grown meat is a meat alternative made from animal stem cells. According to the Good Food Institute, it uses the same cell types that can be arranged in the same or similar structure as animal tissue, thus replicating the sensory and nutritional profiles of conventional meat.

GCF Global says the cells are then placed in petri dishes with amino acids and carbohydrates to help the muscle cells multiply and grow. Once enough muscle fibers have grown, the result is a “meat that resembles ground beef,” or whatever meat you are trying to replicate.

USA TODAY reported the first cultivated beef was eaten in 2013, and the industry has since expanded to about 60 startups around the world.

What are vegan meat substitutes made out of?

According to Healthline, these are some of the most common vegan substitutes found in grocery stores and served in dining establishments:

● Tofu: Curd made from mashed soybeans. High in protein and may contain added nutrients such as calcium and vitamin B12.

● Tempeh: Traditional soy product made from fermented soy, where soybeans are cultured and formed into cakes. Stronger flavor and firmer texture than tofu, which only uses soy milk.

● Texturized vegetable protein: Developed in the 1960s, it’s made by taking soy flour – a byproduct of soy oil production – and removing the fat using solvents. The end result is a highprotein, low-fat product.

● Seitan: Made by adding water to wheat flour and removing the starch. Experts say it’s dense and chewy, with little flavor on its own.

The Florida law banning lab-grown meat, SB 1084 does not target any plant-based vegan meat substitutes, only those being derived from animal cells.