The Minnesota Senate today passed the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development omnibus bill, Senate File 4561, which includes Senator Rich Draheim’s (R–Madison Lake) provision requiring clear and prominent labeling for cell-cultured (lab-grown) meat, poultry, and other food products.

The provision, originally introduced as Senate File 239, also requires restaurants to clearly identify any menu items made with cell-cultured ingredients.

“This is common-sense consumer protection,” said Sen. Draheim. “People deserve to know what they’re eating and feeding their families. This bill makes sure consumers can clearly distinguish between products raised on a farm and those manufactured in a lab.”

Last month, Hannah Bernhardt, who runs Medicine Creek Farm in Finlayson and serves as President of the Minnesota Farmers Union, Pine County Chapter, testified in support of the bill in the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee.

“My business selling beef, lamb, and pork relies on direct relationships with my customers. I take great effort in being transparent and accountable in the way I raise my livestock,” said Bernhardt. “To ensure a level playing field, I think we should strive for that transparency across our agricultural markets. Clear, informative labeling is the least we can do to provide that to customers.

Hunter Pederson of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation also voiced his support for the bill at the hearing.

“We support truthful, transparent labeling of lab-grown products so that consumers can make informed decisions,” said Pederson. “Our farmers and ranchers work diligently everyday raising and producing high-quality, nutritious food for our communities. Livestock producers don’t fear competition. But we do need to have a level playing field for them.”