Lawmakers seek more transparency on meat labels

SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers want restaurants and stores to be more transparent about their meat. 

HB138 would require businesses to label exactly what kind of meat is being sold. That would include whether it is farm-raised, lab-grown, insect-based, or plant-based.

Bill sponsor Rep. Neil Walter, R-St. George emphasized the bill does not ban or put limitations on these types of meat.

Lab-cultivated meat has become more accessible and Walter said people deserve to know what is in the food they’re eating. This bill is just an added layer of transparency.

“As things continue to evolve and change, we just want to make sure that individuals know what is in the food they’re consuming.”

Walter said the easiest way to think of the effort is to think about buying crab.

“It’s fine to offer imitation crab and it’s fine to offer real crab. You just want to know which one you’re getting when you buy it and that’s the principal here.”

The bill has passed in the Utah House and is now waiting for a vote in a Senate committee.