Posts have recently gone viral online saying that Italy has just become the first country in the world to ban “lab-grown meat”, reigniting a debate about its safety and consumption.
Impressive stuff pic.twitter.com/3IhT7Dbdq1
— Nandi 🤍💜🤍 (@pallnandi) December 1, 2025
Yes, Italy did pass a law in 2023 banning cultivated or lab-grown meat and “meat-related” labels such as “steak” and “salami” for plant-based products, with non-compliant companies facing fines of as much as €60,000.
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However, this isn’t a new development as the post implies, and there was no specific targeting of Gates.
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As things stand, the EU hasn’t yet authorised any meat products derived from lab-grown cells, despite some companies applying for marketing authorisation.
