The proposed bill seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, holding, offering for sale, or distribution of cell-cultured edible products in Montana, classifying violations as misdemeanors with penalties as outlined in existing law. Retail food establishments found in violation may face disciplinary actions, including potential suspension of their business licenses. The bill also empowers the department to adopt rules for implementation and provides definitions for key terms such as "cell-cultured edible product" and "retail food establishment." Notably, it deletes the requirement that cell-cultured edible products labeled as meat must meet the existing definition of meat, reinforcing the prohibition against such products.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify the status of cell-cultured edible products derived from meat components, stating that these products will not be considered misbranded if labeled according to specific guidelines. The definition of "cell-cultured edible product" is updated for consistency with legal terminology. A new prohibition against the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale of cell-cultured edible products is introduced, emphasizing the state's regulatory stance while maintaining existing prohibitions against adulterated or misbranded food. Overall, the bill aims to enhance consumer protection and regulatory oversight in the context of emerging food technologies.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1(1): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1(2): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1(3): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1(4): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1(5): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1(6): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1: 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(1): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(10): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(11): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(12): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(13): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(2): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(3): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(4): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(5): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(6): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(7): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(8): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2(9): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_2: 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_X(1): 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 50-31-501, 81-9-217
HB0401_X(2): 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 50-31-501, 81-9-217
HB0401_X(3): 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 50-31-501, 81-9-217
HB0401_X(4): 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 50-31-501, 81-9-217
HB0401_X(5): 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 50-31-501, 81-9-217
HB0401_X: 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 50-31-501, 81-9-217