Texas has officially outlawed the sale and production of lab-grown meat this week, becoming the latest state to push back against “cell-cultured protein” in defense of the cattle industry.
Senate Bill 261, which took effect September 1, prohibits the production, possession, or sale of lab-grown “meat” across the Lone Star State for the next two years.
The hyperprocessed fake “meat” products are produced by companies such as Upside Foods, which is funded by billionaire Bill Gates.
Supporters of the law say it safeguards both Texas consumers and the ranching industry that remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy.
In a May press release, Carl Ray Polk Jr., president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), said:
“Ranchers across Texas work tirelessly to raise healthy cattle and produce high-quality beef.
“Our association is grateful for those legislators who voted to support this legislation and understood the core of this bill, to protect our consumers, the beef industry, and animal agriculture.”
"Lab-grown meat just doesn't belong in Texas, and now, it doesn't have a place on our tables." – Commissioner Sid Miller #TexasAgricultureMatters #Beef #RealFood #BuyLocal
— Texas Agriculture (@TexasDeptofAg) June 28, 2025
The law comes even though lab-grown “meat” has yet to gain a foothold in Texas.
According to the Texas Tribune, only one restaurant, Otoko in Austin, was offering the product before the ban took effect.
Opponents of the ban argue it prioritizes industry interests over consumer choice.
“The Texas ban on cultivated meat is a classic example of special interest legislation,” said Paul Sherman, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice, in comments to The Dallas Morning News.
“The law has nothing to do with public health and safety, and everything to do with protecting the powerful agriculture lobby from innovative out-of-state competition.”
Sherman, who is already leading a legal challenge against Florida’s similar ban, suggested Texas could be next in line for a court fight.
“We are hopeful that the courts will stand up for the right of consumers to choose for themselves what foods they want to eat,” he said.
Unless blocked by the courts, the law will remain in effect through 2027.
In the meantime, ranchers say it will help preserve confidence in traditional beef products, while critics say it denies Texans the right to experiment with alternatives.
The clash mirrors a broader national debate as ranching states line up against biotech companies seeking to market meat grown in labs instead of pastures.
Meanwhile, a new study has found that real meat is far healthier than the fake “alternatives” pushed by Gates and his globalist allies.
As Slay News reported, the new study has confirmed that animal protein is not the killer it’s been made out to be and, in fact, it may actually help protect against cancer.
The team of researchers, led by nutritional experts at Canada’s McMaster University, found that fewer meat eaters die young or suffer from serious illnesses such as cancer when compared to people who eat plant-based alternatives.
It also debunked several claims promoted by those pushing for the general public to stop eating real meat.
READ MORE – Scientists Push Plan to Spread Fatal Meat Allergy Among Public to ‘Fight Climate Change’
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.