S.B. No. 261 introduces a prohibition on the offering for sale and the sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in Texas. The bill defines "cell-cultured protein" as a food product derived from harvesting animal cells and artificially replicating those cells in a growth medium to produce tissue. It establishes that any violation of this prohibition may be enforced similarly to existing violations under the Health and Safety Code, with the provision set to expire on September 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill amends various definitions in the Health and Safety Code to clarify that terms such as "egg," "meat," and "poultry" do not include cell-cultured protein.

The bill also mandates that cell-cultured protein must be labeled prominently and clearly to inform consumers of its contents. It repeals a previous section of the Health and Safety Code related to cell-cultured products and requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt necessary rules for implementation. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 431.002, Health and Safety Code 431.021, Health and Safety Code 431.081 (Health and Safety Code 431)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 431.002, Health and Safety Code 431.021, Health and Safety Code 431.0211, Health and Safety Code 431.0805, Health and Safety Code 431.081, Health and Safety Code 433.0415 (Health and Safety Code 433, Health and Safety Code 431)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 431.002, Health and Safety Code 431.0805, Health and Safety Code 433.0415 (Health and Safety Code 433, Health and Safety Code 431)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 431.002, Health and Safety Code 431.0805, Health and Safety Code 433.0415 (Health and Safety Code 433, Health and Safety Code 431)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 431.002, Health and Safety Code 431.0805, Health and Safety Code 433.0415 (Health and Safety Code 433, Health and Safety Code 431)