IdahoIdaho requires clear labels and limits meat-cut names on cultured protein
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho law requires cell-cultivated animal protein sold or offered in the state to carry clear labels identifying how it was made.
What it does
Cell-cultivated animal protein sold or offered in Idaho must be labeled as lab-grown, cell-cultivated, or cell-cultured. The label must be easy to read and at least as prominent as the product name.
Products not made from traditional livestock or wild game may not use names commonly tied to specific meat cuts, such as steak or brisket, unless the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorizes them.
The Idaho Department of Agriculture may inspect products and impose penalties of up to $500 per violation. A promptly fixed, good-faith error is exempt, and retailers or food establishments that do not alter a label are not enforcement targets.
Argument forClear package and menu labels could help Idaho shoppers recognize when a product is made from cultured animal cells.
Argument againstThe limits on meat-cut names could make it harder for sellers to describe how these products compare with familiar cuts.
More detail
Idaho law requires cell-cultivated animal protein offered for sale in the state to be labeled as lab-grown, cell-cultivated, or cell-cultured. The rule covers products sold, distributed, or offered for sale in Idaho, including products offered by restaurants and other vendors. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Idaho law bars certain meat-cut names on cell-cultivated products that do not come from traditional livestock or wild game. It applies to labeling, advertising, or marketing products not derived from traditional livestock production or wild game harvest. The restriction does not apply when the United States Department of Agriculture authorizes the terms. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
The Idaho Department of Agriculture may inspect for violations and impose civil penalties of up to $500 per violation. The Idaho Department of Agriculture oversees compliance with the chapter's requirements. No penalty may be assessed for a good-faith error that is promptly corrected after the department gives notice. Enforcement is directed at manufacturers, producers, or people who label or market the product, not retailers or food establishments that do not alter its label. The department may establish additional penalties for repeat offenses by rule, subject to legislative approval. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Signed by Governor Brad Little on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 247 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 30Reported delivered to Governor at 2 p.m. on 03/30/26To Governor
- Mar 30Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Mar 30Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 30Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Mar 27Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Mar 26Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 1 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required – PASSED - 70-0-0AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – NoneAbsent – NoneFloor Sponsor - ScottTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 1 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 25Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 4Read First Time, Referred to Agricultural AffairsMinor
- Mar 4Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Mar 3Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 34-0-1AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Bruner(Adams), Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – SemmelrothFloor Sponsor - NicholsTitle apvd - to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full as amended –. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 27Read second time as amended, filed for Third readingMinor
- Feb 26Read first time as amended, filed for Second Reading
- Feb 26Reported engrossed, filed for first reading, as amended
- Feb 26Amendments reported printed
- Feb 25Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
- Feb 25Reported out without recommendation, as amended
- Feb 25Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Feb 17Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
- Feb 11Reported Printed; referred to Agricultural Affairs
- Feb 10Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
AgricultureConsumer Protection