Right to Eat Authentic and Legitimate Meat Act of 2025 or the REAL Meat Act of 2025This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to support, directly or indirectly, the production, advancement, or enhancement of cell-cultured meat. Under the bill, cell-cultured meat means meat that is sourced from the cells of animals and artificially produced in a laboratory.The bill includes an exemption for federal funds of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that are used for activities related to cell-cultured meat that is intended for off-planet consumption.
If passed, this bill would significantly affect various agricultural programs and funding allocations related to meat production. The legislation specifically targets cell-cultured meat, which is meat that comes from animal cells and is produced in a laboratory setting. By restricting federal assistance and funding in this area, the bill aims to direct support and resources exclusively toward traditional meat sources, thereby potentially influencing market dynamics and consumer perceptions around meat products.
House Bill 1116, also known as the 'Right to Eat Authentic and Legitimate Meat Act of 2025' or the 'REAL Meat Act of 2025', seeks to prohibit the use of Federal funds for the support of cell-cultured meat production. The intent of the bill is to limit government spending on a category of food products that some lawmakers consider to be less authentic or traditional than conventional meat. It includes a variety of stipulations aimed at preventing the use of these funds for research, support of meatpacking organizations, and advertising of cell-cultured meat products.
The pushback against HB 1116 is centered around the growing debate on food innovation, sustainability, and consumer choice. Proponents of the bill may argue that it safeguards traditional meat producers and ensures public trust in food safety. However, opponents could contend that the bill stifles innovation in food production methods that could reduce environmental impacts and improve food security. Notably, the bill does offer an exemption for federal funding used by NASA for cell-cultured meat intended for off-planet consumption, which could raise questions about the broader applications and future of cell-cultured food technologies.