Cattle Australia says better labelling is needed for ‘lab meat’

Several American states have ‘banned’ laboratory-produced meat. But Cattle Australia has a different approach for tech-made flesh.

Cattle Australia says better labelling, not an American-style ban, is needed to combat the futuristic threat of laboratory-developed meat.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis recently ordered a statewide law prohibiting anyone from selling or distributing lab-grown meat, declaring the move would “save our beef.”

It prompted neighbouring Alabama to follow suit, with legislators in Arizona and Tennessee also drafting ban plans.

But Cattle Australia chief executive Chris Parker said labelling rather than bans were key to meet the looming threat to the sector.

“The make-up of most laboratory-developed or plant-based alternatives to real beef is proprietary by nature,” Dr Parker said.

“(That means) consumers really have no idea as to the ingredients that have been used in the formulation of these products, or their nutritional value

“We firmly believe all food must have descriptors and labels that accurately and fully describe these products, including the percentage of individual ingredients, so that consumers can be truly informed about what they are purchasing and consuming.”

Nationals leader and shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud echoed Dr Parker’s approach and called for clearer labelling, not only of lab manufactured “meat” products, but all plant based food.

Mr Littleproud said these products should also be removed from meat aisles to remove any confusion for consumers.

“However, before any of these products get to Australian supermarkets it’s important that our food safety standards are strictly adhered to and policed by appropriate agencies,” he said.

Lab-grown or “cultivated” meat was first cleared for consumption by American food regulators two years ago.

The process of making cultivated meat involves extracting cells from an animal, which are then fed with nutrients such as proteins, fats and sugars.

In March this year, a parfait made from Japanese quail cells become the first Australian lab-grown meat to hit the world market.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand last year found the quail cell product was safe to eat and presented no health or nutritional risks.

FSANZ has proposed using the term “cell-cultured” on labelling, although sales of lab-based products in Australia are exceptionally niche at present.

The federal government announced in May it would spend $1.5 million over two years to improve existing arrangements for the accurate and clear labelling of plant-based and alternative protein products.