Hey there, tech enthusiasts! It’s your favorite funny guy, Nuked, here to serve up some tasty tech news — and trust me, this one is sizzling!

Upside Foods, a company specializing in lab-grown meat, has taken legal action against Florida regarding the state’s ban on their products. They argue that the legislation prohibiting cultivated meat sales is unconstitutional. This ban was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis back in May, who framed it as a move against what he calls the “global elite’s scheme” to make everyone eat meat produced in labs or bugs.

In a lawsuit filed recently in federal court, Upside Foods and the Institute of Justice, a nonprofit law firm, contend that the ban is primarily aimed at shielding Florida’s cattle industry. They claim this law violates several constitutional clauses and federal regulations regarding meat inspection and distribution. Paul Sherman, a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice, emphasized that the Constitution empowers Congress to establish a national market, allowing consumers to choose what they want to buy across state lines.

The debate over alternatives to traditional meat has turned into a cultural battleground between liberals and conservatives. Consequently, companies producing alternative proteins are facing increasing scrutiny from state-level laws that either restrict or outright ban their products. Upside Foods argues that Florida’s ban is an act of protectionism meant to favor local cattle ranchers over out-of-state competition.

During the signing event for the ban, Governor DeSantis was surrounded by cattle ranchers and stood before a podium proclaiming “SAVE OUR BEEF.” In response to the lawsuit, Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson dismissed it as “ridiculous,” asserting that lab-grown meat hasn’t been proven safe for consumers and is part of a liberal agenda threatening farms and food security.

However, Upside’s legal team maintains that the ban is more about protecting local interests than ensuring food safety. They reference DeSantis’ press conference as evidence of this claim. Notably, both the FDA and USDA have previously deemed Upside’s products safe for consumption.

The implications of Florida’s ban extend beyond state lines; it has inspired similar restrictive legislation in other states like Alabama and several others across the country. Upside claims that this patchwork of conflicting laws complicates their ability to partner with national distributors who prefer not to deal with products that can’t be sold everywhere.

Before the ban took effect on July 1st, Upside was collaborating with a chef in Miami for an upcoming tasting event at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in February 2025. This event is now jeopardized due to potential legal issues stemming from the ban. Upside is seeking a court ruling to declare Florida’s law unconstitutional and hopes to stop its enforcement before major events like Art Basel Miami.

As Sherman pointed out during the press conference, if people aren’t interested in cultivated meat, they can simply choose not to eat it. But they shouldn’t be able to decide for others what options are available!