The bill, S.B. No. 822, introduces new regulations concerning the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offer for sale, and sale of cell-cultured protein in Texas. It 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. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to include this definition and explicitly prohibits the aforementioned activities related to cell-cultured protein, thereby making it unlawful to engage in any of these actions within the state.

Additionally, the bill amends existing provisions regarding adulterated food to classify any food containing cell-cultured protein as adulterated. This means that any food product that includes cell-cultured protein would be considered unsafe for consumption under Texas law. The bill mandates that the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission adopt necessary rules to implement these changes, with the law 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)