FAIR Labels Act of 2026

Informed Consumer Decision-Making: The bill requires cell-cultivated protein products to include prominent labels such as cell-cultivated and statements clarifying they are derived from sources other than meat or poultry (Section 3(a)(2) and Section 3(b)(2)). This helps consumers understand what they are buying.

Clarity on Plant-Based Products: Plant-based alternative protein products must be labeled with the phrase plant-based alternative protein product and include a statement that they do not contain naturally produced meat or poultry (Section 3(c)(2)). This ensures consumers know the product is an approximation of meat rather than actual meat.

Safety Oversight: The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with conducting premarket consultations, overseeing cell collection, and developing requirements for cell culturing facilities to ensure biological material is safe (Section 2(A-E)).

Standardization: The Secretary of Agriculture is required to develop common standards of identity for both cell-cultivated and plant-based protein products (Section 3(d)).

Increased Regulatory Oversight for Producers: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will conduct inspections and take enforcement action to ensure facilities comply with laws (Section 2(F)). This involves oversight of production materials, processes, and manufacturing controls.

Specific Labeling Burdens: Products must meet very specific labeling criteria, such as having the words cell-cultivated immediately adjacent to the name of the food in a uniform size and prominence (Section 3(a)(2)(A) and Section 3(b)(2)(A)). Failure to meet these specific requirements would result in the product being considered misbranded.