Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) have introduced the School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024, a bipartisan legislation that aims to ban fake meat products from being served in school lunches. The bill would specifically prohibit the use of cell-cultivated meat under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).

In recent years, there has been an increase in the development and production of fake meat products, which are created using cell-cultivated protein. These products are being touted as a way to eliminate the need for raising livestock and have gained support from environmental activists. However, this development has raised concerns among American livestock producers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had previously issued grants of inspection for cell-cultured meat production, allowing two companies to produce cell-cultivated chicken products. This move has further fueled the debate on the safety and implications of these products. USDA has yet to provide any guidance on the use of cell-cultivated protein in the NSLP and SBP, leaving many questions unanswered.

Senator Rounds emphasized the need to prioritize the well-being of students and the livelihood of livestock producers. He stated, “Our students should not be test subjects for cell-cultivated ‘meat’ experiments. South Dakota farmers and ranchers work hard to produce high-quality beef products, which are often sold to South Dakota schools. With high-quality, local beef readily available, there’s no reason to be serving fake, lab-grown meat products in the cafeteria.”

Senator Tester echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of supporting local ranchers and providing real meat to students. He said, “Montana ranchers grow the best meat in the world, that’s a fact – and our students ought to be getting the best in their school breakfasts and lunches every day.”

The School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024 has gained endorsements from various organizations, including the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, R-CALF USA, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and South Dakota Pork Producers. These organizations share concerns about the safety and health effects of consuming cell-cultivated meat.

Justin Tupper, President of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, stated, “Science experiments belong in the classroom, not the cafeteria. The long-term health effects of consuming foods produced using cell-cultured technology have not been established. These products are too new and untested to be considered safe for our nation’s children.”

Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, also expressed support for the legislation, emphasizing the need to prioritize children's health. He said, “The claim that cell-cultivated meat grown in a laboratory is as safe and healthful as real, natural meat has not yet been definitively determined. Subjecting children to this nascent, scientific experiment is bad public policy.”

Ethan Lane, Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, highlighted the lack of research and potential risks associated with lab-grown proteins. He stated, “The federal government should not allow lab-grown protein in school lunch and breakfast programs without knowing the long-term health effects on children. School cafeterias are not test labs, and we appreciate Senator Rounds and Senator Tester for standing up for our children and our cattle producers.”

The introduction of the School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024 aims to address the concerns surrounding fake meat products in school lunches. The bill seeks to prioritize the safety and well-being of students while supporting American livestock producers. As the debate on cell-cultivated meat continues, it remains to be seen how this legislation will progress and whether it will ultimately be enacted.