Labeling for Cell-Cultivated and Plant Proteins

Full Title:
FAIR Labels Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill sets new definitions, labeling rules, and regulatory duties for foods made from animal cells and for plant-based products that look like meat or poultry. It amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require specific labels and to assign duties between the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/FDA. The stated goal is to make it easier for consumers to tell whether a product is cell-cultivated or plant-based.

Key changes:

  • Adds a legal definition of “cell-cultivated protein product” for meat and for poultry laws (products grown from animal cell cultures outside a live animal or bird).
  • Requires cell-cultivated meat and poultry product labels to show the words “cell-cultivated” next to the product name and to state they are derived from sources other than meat/poultry and not from naturally produced meat/live birds.
  • Requires plant-based products that imitate meat/poultry to be labeled “plant-based alternative protein product” and to state clearly they are not derived from naturally produced meat or poultry.
  • Directs USDA and HHS to revise their 2019 memorandum of understanding so USDA implements these amendments while HHS/FDA keeps oversight of cell collection, cell banks, cell culture processes, facility registration, manufacturing controls, inspections, and enforcement.
  • Orders the USDA, with HHS consultation, to create common “standards of identity” (official product definitions) for cell-cultivated and plant-based alternative protein products within 180 days.

What it means for you#

  • Consumers

    • Packaged cell-cultivated meat or poultry must show the words “cell-cultivated” next to the product name.
    • Plant-based products made to look like meat must be labeled “plant-based alternative protein product” and say they are not from naturally produced meat or poultry.
    • Labels must include clear disclaimers that cell-cultivated products are not from live animals.

  • Producers of cell-cultivated products

    • Must follow the meat/poultry inspection laws “in the same manner” as traditional meat and poultry products.
    • Will face HHS/FDA premarket consultation on cell lines, cell banks, inputs, and culturing processes, plus inspections and enforcement for those production steps.
    • Must change labels to meet the new wording and likely meet new standards of identity once issued.

  • Plant-based food makers

    • Must add the phrase “plant-based alternative protein product” on labels and a clear statement that the product is not derived from meat or poultry.
    • May need to update packaging and marketing to comply.

  • Retailers

    • May need to relabel shelf tags or product descriptions to reflect the new product names and disclaimers.
    • Could see changes in how products are categorized or displayed.

  • Government agencies (USDA and HHS/FDA)

    • Must revise the 2019 memorandum of understanding within 90 days to reflect specific duties.
    • USDA will implement the labeling and inspection rules under the meat and poultry laws; HHS/FDA will oversee upstream cell-related activities and facility controls.
    • USDA must write standards of identity within 180 days.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Possible cost or resource effects the bill suggests:

  • This could increase administrative work for USDA and HHS/FDA to revise the existing agreement, develop standards of identity, and set up or expand inspection and oversight programs.
  • Producers and packagers would likely face costs to redesign labels and meet any new packaging rules or registration requirements.
  • Cell-cultivated producers may need to spend on facility changes, recordkeeping, and compliance with manufacturing controls and inspections.
  • Retailers could incur costs to update product listings and shelf labels.
  • The bill does not include a fiscal note in the provided material, so exact budget impacts and timing are not specified.

Proponents' View#

The bill appears intended to:

  • Improve transparency so consumers can clearly tell which products are cell-cultivated, plant-based, or derived from live animals.
  • Create consistent definitions and labeling rules across meat, poultry, and food laws to reduce confusion.
  • Assign clear roles to USDA and HHS/FDA: USDA to apply meat/poultry inspection rules and HHS/FDA to oversee cell-collection, cell banks, and manufacturing controls.
  • Standardize product names through standards of identity so the same terms and label formats are used nationwide.

Opponents' View#

Possible concerns or questions raised by the bill’s design:

  • The bill sets overlapping roles for USDA and HHS/FDA; it is unclear how disputes or overlaps in oversight and enforcement will be resolved in practice.
  • Tight deadlines (90 days to revise the MOU and 180 days for standards of identity) may be difficult for agencies to meet, creating implementation risks.
  • Applying meat and poultry inspection laws “in the same manner” to cell-cultivated products could create regulatory or operational complexities that are not spelled out in the bill.
  • Producers, especially smaller ones, may face new compliance costs for labeling, facility requirements, registration, and inspections without a clear estimate of those costs.
  • The bill does not explain how enforcement will be coordinated between agencies or provide a fiscal estimate for increased inspection and oversight activities.