AUSTIN, TEXAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed legislation requiring labeling for meat alternative and cultivated meat that is sold in the state.

The law, which goes into effect on Sept. 1, directs plant-based and other alternative products to have “analogue,” “meatless,” “plant-based,” “made from plants,” or similar language appear next to the label with similar size text as the product being sold.

Another requirement for future cultivated meat products was to say “cell-cultured,” “lab-grown,” or similar language on the packaging.

In recent years, laws were signed at the state level  in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and other states, which were challenged and overturned after action from the Good Food Institute, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and others who advocate for the meat alternative industry.

The advocates argued the law violates the First Amendment by censoring free commercial speech.

States that passed these laws and meat trade associations continue to argue that the law protects consumers from deceptive marketing and prevents confusion about meat alternatives. 

Meat labeling laws have been passed in Missouri and Oklahoma but are in pending litigation.