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HB 804

Food and Food Products - As enacted, prohibits labeling a cell-cultured food product as meat or a meat food product. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 39; Title 40; Title 43; Title 44; Title 47 and Title 53.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rusty Grills

Tennessee law prohibits labeling cell-cultured meat as "meat," protecting conventional meat terminology and potentially restricting alternative protein market access.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 450
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Bill Summary · HB 804

Legislative bill overview

HB 804 prohibits labeling cell-cultured (lab-grown) meat products as "meat" or "meat food products" in Tennessee. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated across seven titles to enforce this labeling restriction and establish regulatory definitions distinguishing cultured meat from conventional animal meat.

Why is this important

This legislation directly impacts the emerging cultured meat industry's ability to market products in Tennessee and sets a precedent for how states regulate this developing technology. The restrictions may influence consumer access to alternative protein sources and affect companies investing in cellular agriculture infrastructure and commercialization.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: The law restricts labeling but may create confusion about what cultured meat can legally be called, potentially limiting market development or requiring alternative nomenclature that consumers don't recognize
  • Industry impact: Cultured meat companies may face barriers to market entry in Tennessee, while traditional livestock interests benefit from regulatory protection of the "meat" designation
  • Interstate commerce concerns: State-level labeling restrictions could conflict with federal food labeling authority and create complications for national product distribution

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

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