Texas is debating a measure that would prohibit plant-based analogue meat products from using words like “meat” or “beef” on their packaging.
The measure was approved by the Texas House of Representatives on May 10 after a brief debate and is now being considered by the state senate. It would prohibit products based on plants, insects or cell-cultured proteins from using the terms “meat,” “beef,” “pork” or “poultry product” on packaging or in advertising, although “burger” would still be permitted.
The bill’s sponsor, who works in the cattle industry, insists that clarity is the only object of the legislation and that “the most frequent call I’ve gotten is from vegetarians that are for this bill.” Others worried that it represented government overreach.
Similar legislation has been the subject of litigation in multiple states.
