Mike Pearson takes a look at Missouri's House Bill 211 which was introduced in December.

The legislation aims to strengthen labeling requirements for all meat products in the state of Missouri.

Basically, traditional meat derived from livestock won't need the labels but lab generated or planted based will need them. The goal is to keep alternative proteins from using the traditional labels of chick, beef or pork.

Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi already have laws that require clear differentiation between tradition and lab or plant based protein alternatives.

The USDA approved labels for cell cultured (lab grown) meat in 2022 but Missouri is adding it's own requirement to ensure consumers know here the meat came from to address transparency.

Those against the labels say it's crossing the line and could stigmatize alternative proteins and limit the market size.

Critics also fear the stricter labels could spread to other states.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.