State Rep. Jerry Neyer on Tuesday spearheaded the passage of his plan to boost transparency measures for lab-grown meat products sold in Michigan. The plan passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“We make soda companies label their products as containing 0% juice; why shouldn’t we require lab-grown meat manufacturers to label their products as containing 0% meat?” asked Neyer, R-Shepherd. “This plan is about transparency and common sense. Real meat comes from livestock. Fake meat is nothing more than glorified bioengineering. The public deserves to know which is which at the grocery store.”

The proposal, House Bill 4076, would require a clear and obvious label on all synthetically lab-grown “meat” products.

“People just want to know what they’re putting on the table for themselves and their families,” Neyer said. “When you’re shopping, and you see chicken, pork, or beef, there should be no question those products came from a living, breathing animal. People want farm-fresh, not slices of Frankenmeat.”

Nearly two years ago, U.S. regulators approved the sale of lab-grown chicken by two startups in California. While lab-grown meat is not currently available in any U.S. grocery stores, scientists continue to research the synthetically grown products – increasing the likelihood that consumers may soon see the items on grocery shelves.

The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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