Mississippi Becomes Third State to Ban Sale of Cell-Based Meat, Following Florida, Alabama
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On March 21, 2025, the Mississippi legislature passed House Bill 1006 (HB 1006), effectively banning the sale or production of any cell-based food product in the state. The law will enter into effect on July 1 of this year.
Although the state House and Senate passed the bill unanimously, Governor Tate Reeves would not sign the legislation. However, as Gov. Reeves did not veto the bill either, it will still become law without his signature.
HB 1006 renders it “unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, hold for sale, offer for sale or distribute any cultivated food product in this state.” The bill defines "cultivated food product" as “any food product produced from cultured animal cells.”
The legislation sets penalties for businesses or persons that violate the law. Specifically, any person who violates the law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of no more than $500 and/or by imprisonment in the county jail for no more than three months. Any retail food establishment found guilty of selling or distributing cell-based food products may have their license or permit suspended or revoked, and will be subject to all enforcement measures under the authority of the State Department of Health.
In May and April 2024, respectively, Florida and Alabama passed their own bills to ban the sale or production of cell-based foods. Additionally, in March 2025, South Dakota passed legislation prohibiting the award or use of state funds for the research, production, promotion, sale, or distribution of cell-cultured protein.
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