US legislators have reintroduced the FAIR Labels Act of 2026, which aims to impose federal labeling requirements on plant-based and cell-cultivated protein products. This bipartisan effort seeks to bring these alternative protein products under the same labeling jurisdiction as conventional meat, with specific requirements such as using terms like “cell-cultivated" or "plant-based alternative protein product" on labels to differentiate them from traditionally sourced meat products. The bill also updates the regulatory framework for cell-cultivated foods, assigning responsibilities to the FDA for premarket consultation and the USDA for labeling enforcement.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association supports the bill, arguing that companies producing lab-grown proteins have been using misleading marketing terms that may confuse consumers. Critics, however, question whether current labeling regulations are sufficient, as alternative protein products are already subject to federal oversight. As the legislation progresses through the House Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce, debates over the necessity of tighter labeling restrictions are expected to continue.