HB 471: Food Labeling Transparency Act. - North Carolina

Edition 2 → Edition 3 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision adds a new version stamp and reorganizes the definition numbering for meat-related terms. The substantive content remains largely the same, with the primary change being the insertion of a new definition for 'manufactured-protein food product' that combines cell-cultured and insect-protein products into a single category.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'manufactured-protein food product' that groups both cell-cultured and insect-protein products together, replacing the previous separate definitions for these terms.

Removed the separate definition for 'insect-protein food product' as it was merged into the new 'manufactured-protein food product' definition.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the numbering of definitions, shifting from starting at 'c' to starting at 'b', and renumbered subsequent definitions accordingly.

Added a new version stamp 'Committee Substitute #2 Favorable 4/8/25' to indicate this is an updated version of the committee substitute.

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision updates the Food Labeling Transparency Act to modernize terminology for emerging food technologies. The changes primarily affect how cell-cultured and insect-based protein products must be labeled and defined under North Carolina law. These updates ensure the legislation remains relevant as new food production methods become commercially available.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include 'manufactured-protein food products' as a defined category, broadening the types of alternative protein foods subject to labeling requirements.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'manufactured-protein food product' that encompasses both cell-cultured and insect-protein food products.

Updated the 'Meat food product' definition to clarify that it includes cell-cultured products made from specific animals while maintaining existing exemptions.

Expanded the 'Qualifying term' definition to include specific terms like 'cell-cultured,' 'cultivated,' 'fake,' 'grown in a lab,' 'insect,' 'insect-based,' 'insect-protein,' 'lab-created,' and 'lab-grown' that must clearly disclose a product is not meat.

Added a new definition for characteristics of agricultural food animals based on age, breed, or sex to improve labeling clarity.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the misbranding criteria to require manufactured-protein food products to be labeled in accordance with G.S. 106-549.28A instead of only cell-cultured products.

Filed → Edition 1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill update adds new sponsors and expands the referral process to include additional committees. The definitions section was reorganized and renumbered, with new definitions for 'manufactured-protein food product' and 'insect-protein food product' added. The 'misbranded' definition was updated to include specific labeling requirements for cell-cultured products.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on food labeling transparency, but the definition of regulated products now explicitly includes manufactured-protein and insect-protein products alongside traditional meat products.

TECHNICAL

Added four new primary sponsors: Representatives Penny, Loftis, and Huneycutt to the original sponsor Representative Gillespie.

Updated committee referral list to include Health, Commerce and Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House with a new date of March 24, 2025.

DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'manufactured-protein food product' which includes both cell-cultured and insect-protein food products.

Added new definition for 'insect-protein food product' describing products made from insect parts that resemble animal tissue.

Reorganized definition numbering and renumbered existing definitions from (9b) and (12a) to (12a) and (14) respectively.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the 'misbranded' definition to include specific labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products under G.S. 106-549.28A.

Food Labeling Transparency Act.

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