Show-Me State Times

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced the successful defense of a state law aimed at protecting the integrity of advertising surrounding meat products. According to Bailey, ensuring accurate marketing of food in Missouri is crucial for consumers and the farmers and ranchers in the state. He stated, “I will continue to fight to defend the integrity of Missouri’s marketplace.”

The legislation in question, passed in 2018, requires producers of plant-based or lab-grown meat to disclose their products' nature to prevent misleading consumers. Missouri Cattleman’s Association President Chuck Miller expressed gratitude for Bailey's defense of the law: “We were the first state in the country to require labeling with integrity...Misleading consumers was unacceptable then, and it is clear with today’s decision that it’s unacceptable now.”

The Court, in support of Attorney General Bailey, emphasized that the law was enacted to reduce consumer confusion and ensure transparency in food labeling. The ruling affirmed that the statute does not discriminate against any particular type of meat producer but aims to inform consumers about the products they are purchasing.

The Department of Agriculture collaborated closely with the Attorney General’s Office throughout the case, culminating in the Court’s decision in favor of upholding the state law protecting Missouri meat.