A federal judge plans to swiftly decide on a request to temporarily block Florida’s new law banning the sale and production of cultivated meat, which state officials often refer to as “fake meat.”
California-based UPSIDE Foods, Inc., a producer of lab-grown meat, is challenging the law’s constitutionality. The company argues that it unfairly favors in-state businesses and violates federal regulations. The company seeks a preliminary injunction allowing it to sell its products in Florida while the lawsuit proceeds.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker heard arguments on Monday. He assured UPSIDE Foods’ attorney that he would issue a ruling well before early November, the date the company needs to prepare its products for Art Basel in Miami Beach.
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UPSIDE Foods argues the ban has negatively impacted its revenue, promotional opportunities, and reputation. The company has already received approval from the FDA and USDA to manufacture and sell its cultivated chicken products.
Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis, defend the law as a necessary measure to protect the state’s agricultural industry and consumer interests. They argue that lab-grown meat is a different product than traditional meat and should be regulated accordingly.
The lawsuit hinges on whether the Florida law conflicts with federal laws governing meat and poultry products and whether it unconstitutionally hinders interstate commerce. A similar law has been enacted in Alabama, and other states are considering comparable bans.
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The judge’s upcoming decision will have significant implications for the burgeoning cultivated meat industry and its ability to operate in Florida.
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