This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by specifically defining cultivated meat products as adulterated foods under section 16-7-2. The new legal language inserted into the bill clarifies that a cultivated meat product is one derived from harvesting animal cells and artificially replicating them in a laboratory to produce tissue that mimics the qualities of traditional meat. This addition is significant as it establishes a regulatory framework for these products, which have been gaining popularity in the food market.

In addition to the insertion regarding cultivated meat, the bill also includes a deletion of the previous provision that numbered the adulteration criteria, which has been updated to reflect the new definition. The amendments made to this section during the 2025 regular session are set to take effect on January 1, 2028. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance food safety regulations by ensuring that cultivated meat products are subject to the same standards as other adulterated foods.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-7-2