Ricketts, Fetterman Introduce FAIR Labels Act to Protect Beef, Require Transparent Labeling for Plant-Based Protein Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation (FAIR) on Labels Act .  The bipartisan legislation is co-led by Senator John Fetterman (D-PA).  The bill requires cell-cultivated protein and plant-based alternative protein products to bear an accurate label, clearly differentiating these products from meat and poultry products.  The bill also prohibits the sale of mislabeled cell-cultivated protein or plant-based alternative protein products.  Companion legislation in the House is led by Representatives Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Mike Flood (R-NE-01), and Buddy Carter (R-GA-01). “Deceptive labeling of plant-based protein products hurts American farmers and ranchers.  It also degrades consumer trust,” said Senator Ricketts. “By enhancing oversight and enforcing stricter labeling regulations, we can protect Nebraska beef.  The FAIR Labels Act is common-sense: Americans should know exactly what they’re putting in their grocery cart.” “The hardworking farmers in Pennsylvania and across our country that feed all of us with real ingredients have to unfairly compete with misleading labels of alternative meats,” said Senator Fetterman. “Folks can be in the pro-bio slop caucus, but I’m in the pro-ribeye one. I’m proud to support the FAIR Labels Act to protect our farmers and all consumers who buy their great products.” “Currently, there is no federal statute for labeling cell-cultivated protein products in the marketplace.  For far too long, lab-grown protein companies have exploited the use of terms like ‘meat’ and ‘beef’ to describe their products, creating the potential for consumer confusion through misleading marketing,” said Gene Copenhaver, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President and Virginia cattle producer. “The FAIR Labels Act will establish a federal guideline for labeling cell-cultivated and plant-based alternative protein products, ensuring consumers can easily differentiate these products from real beef products produced by U.S. cattlemen and cattlewomen.  We thank these members of the House and Senate for their efforts to protect truthful beef labeling and deliver clarity in the marketplace.” The FAIR Labels Act would: Amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to ensure customers can discern between meat and poultry products and imitation meat and imitation poultry products; Prohibit the sale of mislabeled cell-cultivated protein or plant-based alternative protein products. BACKGROUND Currently, cell-cultivated protein and plant-based alterative protein products are not required to be explicitly labeled.  The FAIR Labels Act would prohibit the sale of mislabeled cell-cultivated protein or plant-based alternative protein products and require alternative protein products to bear an accurate label.  Permitted label examples include “cell-cultivated protein burger,” “ground plant-based alternative protein,” and “alternative protein” while prohibited labels include “cruelty-free steak,” “cultivated beef burgers,” and “plant-based ground beef.” See the full bill text here .