USA - Regulating Cultured Meat Labels in the United States

The domestication of animals for human consumption dates back centuries. Records show that goats were domesticated as early as 8,000 BCE.2 The domestication of livestock has made it easier and cheaper for humans to obtain by-products, resulting in the livestock farming industry we see today; however, this evolution gave rise to numerous concerns. For example, livestock farming in densely populated communities has led to an increase in diseases, such as tuberculosis and influenza.3 Beyond public health concerns, livestock agriculture, along with land use change, now contributes to twenty-five percent of total global emissions of greenhouse gasses (“GHG”), giving rise to environmental concerns.4 With the need for land to raise livestock, the world has witnessed the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and other vital lands that help counteract the negative
effects of GHG; for example, grazing land for cattle accounts for forty-one percent of tropical deforestation.5 While the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) governs pollution control in waterways, the CWA currently does not require a permit for nonpoint source pollution.6 This means that waste produced by animals, so long as it is derived from a nonpoint source, can legally pollute waterways.7 This type of pollution can further increase the spread of disease in the communities surrounding these livestock operations. Finally, livestock agriculture has led to negative effects on human population. For example, high levels of nitrate released from factory farms may cause “low oxygen levels in infants.

This Note will explore the development of cultured meat as it relates to consumer rights and labeling laws. It begins with a discussion of the current livestock agriculture industry, its negative impacts, and litigation surrounding it. This Note will then discuss trends away from current livestock agriculture practices, including plant-based products and cultured meat, before arguing that cultured meat is the best solution to transition away from the current livestock industry. This Note will conclude by arguing that, to promote the positive development of cultured meat and the ultimate transition to cultured meat, there needs to be fair competition between the labeling of conventional meat and cultured meat. This can be done through an even-handed application of conventional meat regulation to the cultured meat industry. While cultured meat is becoming more prevalent as a way to alleviate environmental, health, and ethical concerns, the battle over how cultured meat should be labeled to purchasing consumers remains.

Author(s):  Mousa, N.

Published in: 36 COLO. ENV’T L. J.