MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare; Judiciary, Division B
By: Senator(s) Whaley, Berry, Blackwell, Younger, Rhodes, Suber
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE MANUFACTURE, SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD PRODUCTS PRODUCED FROM CULTURED ANIMAL CELLS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ADOPT RULES OR REGULATIONS AS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) For the purposes of this section, the
term "cultivated food product" means any food product produced from cultured animal cells.
(2) (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, hold for sale, offer for sale or distribute any cultivated food product in this state.
(b) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than three (3) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(3) (a) A retail food establishment, as defined in Section 69-1-18, that sells or distributes cultivated food products in violation of this section shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Section 69-1-18.
(b) The license of a retail food establishment may be suspended or revoked if found by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce to be in violation of this section, as provided in Section 69-1-18.
(4) (a) A retail food establishment that sells or distributes cultivated food products in violation of this section shall be subject to all enforcement measures as provided by rule or regulation of the State Department of Health.
(b) The permit of a retail food establishment may be suspended or revoked as provided by rule or regulation of the State Department of Health upon conviction of an owner or an employee of the establishment for a violation of this section in connection with the establishment.
(5) The Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the State Department of Health may adopt rules or regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.