WASHINGTON (April 30, 2026) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) endorsed the Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels (FAIR Labels) Act. This legislation would ensure consumer transparency by addressing the labeling of cell-cultivated protein and plant-based alternative protein products. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., sponsored the bipartisan Senate version of the FAIR Labels Act. Reps. Mark Alford, R-Mo., August Pfluger, R-Texas, Mike Flood, R-Neb., Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, Buddy Carter, R-Ga., and Tony Weid, R-Wis., sponsored the House version.
“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, NCBA 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:
- Require lab-grown protein products to bear the label, “cell-cultivated protein.”
- Require plant-based “meat” products to bear the label, “plant-based alternative protein.”
- Mandate cell-cultivated and plant-based protein products include a disclaimer, noting the product in its final form was not derived from a live animal.
- Direct the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to revise their departments’ current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
- Direct the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to coordinate in developing necessary common standards of identity for cell-cultivated and plant-based alternative protein products.
“For years, lab-grown and plant-based protein products have used traditional beef labeling terms, creating confusion for consumers,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “The FAIR Labels Act is a critical step toward protecting the integrity of real food animal products and ensuring consumers have clear, accurate information at the meat case. We welcome the growing bipartisan effort to address mislabeling on these manufactured products and encourage Congress to swiftly pass the FAIR Labels Act.”
