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S 4464

FAIR Labels Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Cindy Hyde-Smith and 2 co-sponsors

The bill requires explicit “cell-cultivated” or “plant-based alternative protein” labeling and disclosures to clearly distinguish them from traditional meat and poultry products.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4464

Overview

  • Bill: S.4464 (Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels Act of 2026), 119th Congress, 2nd Session
  • Introduced by: Senator Rickett(s) (for himself and Senator Fetterman)
  • Purpose: Amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and related law provisions to ensure consumers can clearly distinguish meat and poultry products from cell-cultivated protein products and plant-based alternatives on labels and in standards.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish clear labeling and regulatory parity to help consumers make informed choices among traditional meat/poultry products, cell-cultivated protein products, and plant-based alternatives.
  • Require explicit labeling terms and disclosures for products that are cell-cultivated or plant-based, preventing confusion with conventional animal-derived products.

Key provisions and changes

1) Regulatory framework and interagency alignment

  • Revisions to a Memorandum of Understanding between USDA (Secretary of Agriculture) and HHS/FDA to clarify regulatory responsibilities for cell-cultivated protein products.
    • Within 90 days of enactment, the agencies must jointly update the MOU to:
    • Define roles for USDA in implementing act amendments.
    • Have FDA oversee premarket consultations on production materials, cell banks, manufacturing controls, tissue collection, and inputs.
    • Assign responsibilities for cell collection, cell banks, proliferation/differentiation, and compliance with FDA-related requirements (facility registration, good manufacturing practices, preventive controls, etc.).
    • Establish inspection and enforcement mechanisms for cell banks and culturing facilities.

2) Regulation and labeling of cell-cultivated protein products

  • Adds explicit definitions:
    • Cell-cultivated protein product: a product used as human food derived from animal cell culture technology and grown outside the live animal.
  • Misbranding and labeling requirements for cell-cultivated proteins (Meat Inspection Act) include:
    • Prominent labeling of “cell-cultivated” next to the product name.
    • A statement that the product is derived from sources other than meat.
    • A disclaimer that the final product is not derived from, or does not contain, naturally produced meat from a live animal.
  • Applicability extension:
    • Cell-cultivated products are regulated under the same framework as meat products (for the Meat Inspection Act), with similar enforcement provisions.

3) Regulation and labeling of cell-cultivated poultry products

  • Adds similar definitions and misbranding protections for cell-cultivated poultry:
    • Requires labeling with “cell-cultivated,” a statement that the product is derived from sources other than poultry, and a disclaimer about not containing meat from a live bird.
  • Applicability extension to Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), ensuring cell-cultivated poultry products are regulated similarly to conventional poultry.

4) Plant-based alternative proteins

  • Adds a new definition in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act:
    • Plant-based alternative protein product: a plant-derived product that mimics meat/powltry in texture, flavor, and appearance and is manufactured to appear as a meat product.
  • Labeling requirements for plant-based products:
    • Must label as “plant-based alternative protein product.”
    • Must disclose that the product is not derived from, or does not contain, naturally produced meat or poultry.
  • Ensures visibility and clarity for consumers differentiating plant-based products from animal-derived products.

5) Standards of identity

  • Requires development of common standards of identity within 180 days of enactment:
    • For cell-cultivated protein products and plant-based alternatives.
    • Standards aligned with the definitions in the Federal Meat Inspection Act, PPIA, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Who and what would be affected

  • Cell-cultivated protein manufacturers (both meat- and poultry-derived cell-cultured products) would face explicit labeling and regulatory requirements.
  • Plant-based protein manufacturers would be subject to new labeling standards to distinguish their products.
  • Regulators: USDA and FDA/HHS would share oversight roles, with updated coordination through the revised MOU and new enforcement responsibilities.
  • Consumers: Gains clearer labeling to distinguish traditional meat/poultry from cell-cultivated and plant-based products, aiding informed purchasing decisions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date is not specified in the excerpt, but key timelines include:
    • Within 90 days post-enactment: Joint revision of the MOU between USDA and FDA.
    • Within 180 days post-enactment: Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with HHS, to develop common standards of identity for cell-cultivated and plant-based products.
  • The bill would apply labeling and regulatory requirements to cell-cultivated products and plant-based products consistent with the amended acts.

Summary

S.4464 seeks to create a standardized, transparent labeling regime and regulatory framework to differentiate traditional meat and poultry products from cell-cultivated protein and plant-based alternatives. It strengthens misbranding provisions, expands interagency oversight, and develops common product standards to ensure consumers can readily identify the nature and source of protein products on the market.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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