Challenging Missouri’s Meat Labeling Law

In 2018, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Missouri law that prevents plant-based meat and cultured meat producers from using “meat” terminology because their products do not come from a slaughtered animal.

Updated

April 17, 2023

Work Type

Litigation

Status

Active

Next Step

Motions for Summary Judgment due

In 2018, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Missouri law that that prevents plant-based meat and cultured meat producers from using “meat” terminology because their products do not come from a slaughtered animal

Missouri legislators passed this law in 2018, in a brazen attempt to stifle the growing demand for plant-based meat — and the coming market introduction of meat grown directly from cells without the need for raising and slaughtering animals, sometimes called cultured  meat. The law went into effect on Aug. 28, 2018.

The lawsuit was brought by the Animal Legal Defense Fund in coalition with the ACLU of Missouri, the Good Food Institute, and plant-based meat producer Tofurky. Our lawsuit argues that the law violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment, the Dormant Commerce Clause, and the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

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