Senate Democrats recently squashed an amendment that would require foods containing bugs or lab-grown meat to be labeled. Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) offered this proposal, SF 4219, as an amendment to the Senate agriculture policy bill, which passed out of the Senate on Wednesday, April 3. This amendment has since gained state-wide attention, and Alpha News recently featured it in a story.

“Would it bug you if you didn’t know you were eating bugs?” Sen. Westrom said. “Minnesota consumers need to know if their food contains insects. If your meat is cell-cultured and grown in a petri dish, you also need to know. That should not be controversial, and consumers should have that knowledge clear as day as they shop in the store. However, every Senate Democrat voted against this simple labeling requirement.” 

Despite the Republican effort to pass the labeling requirements, Democrats rejected Sen. Westrom’s proposal, denying Minnesota consumers the transparency they deserve. This amendment ultimately failed on a party-line vote. 33 Republicans – Yes. 34 Democrats – No.

Nevertheless, the Senate agreed to an amendment from Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake), which mandates the Department of Agriculture to at least assess labeling options for cell-cultured meat and present findings to the legislature next year. This amendment, however, does not pertain to products containing bugs, so that is an effort Sen. Westrom will continue working on next year.

To listen to Sen. Westrom’s floor comments on the food labeling amendment, please visit: HERE.