Italy bans meat from laboratories: what it means for the country and the alternative food industry

The Italian government has decided to ban the production and sale of meat grown in laboratories, expressing outrage over the use of terms that associate plant-based products with meat. The bill was passed by the Italian parliament and aims to protect the country's culinary heritage. This decision was previously supported by the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida, who expressed hope that the European Union would also join similar restrictions.

Cultured or cellular meat is produced by using animal cells grown in bioreactors. Previously, the European Union did not authorize the sale of laboratory-grown meat, allowing it only in Singapore and the United States.

The Good Food Institute Europe, an organization representing the alternative protein industry, expressed disagreement with Italy's ban.

"This bill not only restricts consumer choice, but also separates Italy from the investment and job opportunities provided by this growing sector," said Francesca Gallelli, public affairs consultant at GFI Europe.