Last week, Florida became the first state to ban “fake meat,” as Gov. Ron DeSantis calls it.
That refers to “cultivated meats” created in labs from cell cultures — as opposed to that harvested from all those fatted calves populating green, grassy pastures across the country.
“Take your fake, lab-grown meat elsewhere. We’re not doing that in the state of Florida,” said DeSantis in supporting a bill that actually introduces jail time and fines for those who sell or distribute lab-grown meat.
DeSantis added, “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.”
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Says ‘NO’ To Lab-Grown Meat In The State
Along the way, one of the world’s richest men and a prominent supporter of left-wing environmental goals got trolled in the episode.
The New York Post reported earlier this week that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez had recently announced a $60 million ground-floor investment into “sustainable protein.”
Bezos and Sanchez are also new Miami residents, offering yet another example of rich liberals escaping the blue-state madness that they advocate for others.
The Post added that a month ago, the Bezos Earth Fund, led by the billionaire and Sanchez, proposed a massive $1 billion investment into expanded food production that included “plant-based, fermented, and cultivated meats.”
“Lab-grown meats differ from its slaughter-free counterparts like Impossible Foods in that they are grown from real animal cells that are replicated scientifically, eliminating the need to farm animals,” the Post added.
Read: Florida Senate Backs Ban On ‘Cultivated’ Meat
DeSantis and supporters of Florida’s cattle industry slammed this idea.
In addition to the ban on lab meats, DeSantis announced the state was pumping $2.8 billion into Florida’s agricultural industry, which included “ increasing meat production and encouraging residents to continue to consume and enjoy 100% real Florida beef.”
Bezos has not publicly commented on DeSantis’ move or the new law.
However, one company that stood to profit from his financial backing was not pleased.
“In a state that purportedly prides itself on being a land of freedom and individual liberty, its government is now telling consumers what meat they can or cannot purchase,” said Good Meat, a company that produces cultivated meat and which claims to be the first one in the world to sell lab-grown meat.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.