FAIR Labels Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 30, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to establish clear labeling standards and regulatory frameworks for cell-cultivated and plant-based protein products to ensure consumer transparency and delineate agency jurisdiction.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish definitions and specific labeling requirements for cell-cultivated protein products and plant-based alternative protein products. It also mandates a revision of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to clarify regulatory oversight responsibilities for cell-cultivated protein products.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill ensures consumer transparency by requiring clear and prominent labeling for cell-cultivated and plant-based protein products, preventing consumer confusion with traditional meat and poultry. They contend it clarifies regulatory oversight between USDA and FDA, streamlining the approval and inspection processes for these emerging food technologies and protecting the integrity of conventional meat and poultry product names.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that the labeling requirements are overly prescriptive or stigmatizing, potentially hindering the market growth of innovative protein products by creating an unnecessary distinction or negative perception. They may also contend that the division of regulatory authority, while clarified, could still lead to inefficiencies or create undue burdens for producers of these alternative proteins.
The bill is concise and can be read quickly, allowing for a thorough understanding of its provisions within a short timeframe.
Section 2
Revised Memorandum of Understanding for Cell-Cultivated Protein Products
This section mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly revise their 2019 Memorandum of Understanding within 90 days. The revision will clearly delineate their respective regulatory responsibilities for cell-cultivated protein products, assigning USDA to implement the bill's amendments and HHS (FDA) to oversee premarket consultation, cell collection, cell proliferation up to harvest, and ensure compliance with FDA regulations.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision ensures clear regulatory lines, preventing overlap or gaps in oversight for novel food products, which enhances safety, market predictability, and efficient resource allocation between agencies.
Critics contend
Critics may contend that this prescriptive delineation of agency roles could limit flexibility as the technology evolves, potentially creating bureaucratic hurdles or inefficiencies for a rapidly developing industry.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for clear regulatory jurisdiction and accountability with the potential for bureaucratic rigidity in adapting to new scientific and technological advancements in food production.
Section 3(a)(1) and (2)
Definition and Labeling Requirements for Cell-Cultivated Meat Products
This section amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) to define 'cell-cultivated protein product' as human food made from cell culture or DNA of an amenable species, grown outside a live animal. It then specifies that such products are misbranded unless their labels prominently state 'cell-cultivated,' indicate they are derived from non-meat sources, and include a disclaimer that the product is not from naturally produced meat from a live animal.
Section 3(a)(3)
Applicability of Federal Meat Inspection Act to Cell-Cultivated Meat
This section amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) to explicitly state that all requirements of the Act, including inspection and safety standards, shall apply to cell-cultivated protein products in the same manner as they apply to traditional meat and meat food products.
Section 3(b)(1) and (2)
Definition and Labeling Requirements for Cell-Cultivated Poultry Products
This section mirrors the provisions for meat products by amending the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). It defines 'cell-cultivated protein product' for poultry as human food made from cell culture or DNA of a live bird, grown outside the bird. It then establishes misbranding criteria, requiring labels to prominently state 'cell-cultivated,' indicate derivation from non-poultry sources, and include a disclaimer that the product is not from a live amenable bird.
Section 3(c)
Definition and Labeling for Plant-Based Alternative Protein Products
This section amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to define 'plant-based alternative protein product' as a food made from plants that approximates the aesthetic qualities of meat or poultry. It mandates that labels for such products must bear the phrase 'plant-based alternative protein product' and a prominently placed disclaimer indicating that the product is not derived from naturally produced meat or poultry from a live animal or bird.
Section 3(d)
Development of Common Standards of Identity
This section mandates that, within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, must develop common standards of identity for cell-cultivated protein products and plant-based alternative protein products. These standards must be consistent with the new definitions established in the bill.