The Virginia General Assembly is considering a bill, Senate Bill 186, which would require specific labeling for plant-based, cell-cultured, and other non-traditional meat products. The proposed legislation aims to prevent consumer confusion by mandating that food items containing alternative proteins include qualifying terms on their labels, such as “plant-based” or “cell-cultured,” in close proximity to meat-identifying terms. Noncompliance could result in financial penalties of up to $500 per misbranded product, with possible tiered penalties for repeat violations.

The bill, introduced by Senator Angelia Williams Graves, does not intend to ban alternative protein products but rather seeks to ensure label clarity for consumers. The Center for the Environment and Welfare supports the proposal, emphasizing the importance of consumer right-to-know principles. If passed, the legislation would join similar labeling laws in other U.S. states, including Georgia, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Texas.