HB201: HB201 Food; selling, offering for sale, trading, or distributing lab-grown meat; prohibit

Georgia law currently regulates the advertising and sale of traditional meat under Article 4 of Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. This bill adds a new section to that law specifically targeting lab-grown meat, which it defines as cell cultured meat. The bill defines 'animal' broadly to include cattle, swine, sheep, goats, fish, poultry (including eggs), and game animals as defined elsewhere in Georgia law. It defines 'meat' as the flesh, offal, or other by-product of a slaughtered animal's carcass. With those definitions in place, the bill makes it illegal for any person to sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute lab-grown meat in Georgia. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws, though it does not specify penalties for violations or an enforcement mechanism beyond the ban itself.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-162) making it illegal to sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute lab-grown meat in Georgia.
• Defines 'lab-grown meat' as cell cultured meat, distinguishing it from traditionally produced meat.
• Defines 'animal' broadly to cover livestock like cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, plus fish, poultry, eggs, and game animals.
• Defines 'meat' as flesh, offal, or other by-products from the carcass of a slaughtered animal.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new prohibition.

Companies and researchers developing or selling cell-cultured meat products, grocery stores and restaurants that might carry such products, and Georgia consumers who would no longer be able to legally buy lab-grown meat in the state.

If enacted, lab-grown meat companies would be barred from selling their products in Georgia, effectively closing the state's market to this emerging food technology. Consumers curious about alternative protein sources would not be able to purchase these products legally within Georgia.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 26-2-162 to Article 4 of Chapter 2 of Title 26, which covers advertising and sale of meat generally.
• Subsection (a) defines 'animal,' 'lab-grown meat,' and 'meat' for purposes of this new prohibition.
• Subsection (b) states it is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute lab-grown meat.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws that conflict with this Act.

1. 2025-02-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-30House Hopper (House)

• Eric Bell (D, HD-075)Primary sponsor
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• David Huddleston (R, HD-072)
• Patty Stinson (D, HD-150)
• Brent Cox (R, HD-028)
• Doreen Carter (D, HD-093)

• food regulation
• lab-grown meat
• agriculture policy
• meat sales
• cell-cultured food