PIERRE, SD. — South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden became the latest governor to sign a bill prohibiting the misbranding of cell-cultured protein products sold in the state.

The House Bill 1022 states these items need to be labeled “cell-cultured” or “lab-grown” immediately adjacent to the name of the food on the label.

Similar recent bills clarifying lab-grown meat labeling and distribution have also been introduced in Georgia and Indiana.

In January, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and State Senator Barry DeKay led the push for this bill. Pillen previously signed an executive order restricting cultivated meat.

“It’s important we get on the offense so that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are not undermined,” Pillen said on cultivated meat. “Our job is to protect consumers, grow agriculture and defend agriculture. Most of us want government out of our hair, but there are places where government needs to step in and protect us.” 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill in May 2024 that would prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in the state. A similar bill was also signed in Alabama.