LouisianaLouisiana law labels fermentation-made dairy proteins and conditionally bars sales
Louisiana law requires a clear label on fermentation-made dairy proteins; restrictions on selling and marketing them apply only if House Bill 512 takes effect.
What it does
Products made with dairy-identical or dairy-derived proteins through microbial fermentation must carry a clear label saying so and stating they do not come from mammal lactation.
If House Bill 512 takes effect, people and businesses may not make these products for sale, sell or distribute them in Louisiana, or market them as dairy foods for people to eat.
Argument forA clear, large label could help shoppers tell that these proteins come from fermentation rather than mammal lactation.
Argument againstIf House Bill 512 takes effect, makers and sellers could lose the ability to offer these products in Louisiana.
More detail
Products offered for sale in Louisiana must carry a clear statement that they were made through microbial fermentation and did not come from mammal lactation. This covers food products with dairy-identical or dairy-derived proteins made through microbial fermentation, rather than a mammal's natural lactation. The labeling rule took effect when the governor signed the act on June 8, 2026.
People and businesses may not make these products for sale, sell, hold or offer them for sale, or distribute them in Louisiana; they also may not label or market them as dairy foods for people to eat. The restrictions cover non-lactational dairy protein products in Louisiana, including products labeled or marketed as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream, or another dairy food for people to eat. These restrictions take effect only if House Bill 512 of the 2026 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective. These restrictions take effect if and when House Bill 512 of the 2026 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 8Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 837.Became Law
- Jun 8Effective date: See Act.
- Jun 2Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 99, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1696). Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1342). Result: pass.Upper
- May 26Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 25Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 21Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 20Reported with amendments.Minor
- May 18Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.
- May 18Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
- May 13Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.Minor
- May 12Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- May 11Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1090). Result: pass.Lower
- May 7Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- May 7Scheduled for floor debate on 05/11/2026.
- May 6Reported with amendments (12-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.Minor
- Feb 27Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 27Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.Minor
- Feb 27First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.Introduced
Consumer ProtectionAgriculture