Photo: monticelllo / iStock / Getty Images
FLORIDA - A federal appeals court has ruled that Florida can maintain its ban on lab grown meat, keeping the law in effect while an ongoing lawsuit continues through the courts.
The decision means companies are still prohibited from producing, distributing, or selling cultivated meat within the state.
The law, signed in 2024, made Florida the first state to implement a full ban on meat grown from animal cells.
State officials have said the measure is intended to support the traditional agriculture industry and prevent disruption to established livestock markets.
The legal challenge was brought by a food technology company that produces cultivated meat products.
The company argues the law conflicts with federal authority and restricts interstate commerce, particularly since some lab grown meat products have received federal regulatory approval.
Lower courts previously allowed parts of the case to proceed while dismissing other claims, leading to the appeal that resulted in the most recent ruling.
The appeals court decision does not resolve the case but allows the state law to remain in place during the legal process.
Cultivated meat is produced by growing animal cells in controlled environments, offering an alternative to conventional livestock farming.
The issue has drawn attention as states and federal agencies continue to evaluate how to regulate emerging food technologies.
The case remains active as both sides continue legal proceedings.