Italy’s government has backed a new bill that seeks to ban laboratory-produced meat and other synthetic foods. 

If the proposal goes through, which highlights ‘Italian food heritage’ and ‘health protection’, breaking the ban would attract fines of up to €60,000. 

Francesco Lollobrigida, who runs the rebranded ministry for agriculture and food sovereignty, cited the importance of Italy’s food tradition as part of the move. This earned the praise of the farmer’s lobby but the criticism of animal welfare groups and even the Opposition. 

The production of cell-based food avoids the need for animals to be killed and is better for the environment, supporters of the practice argue. 

Meanwhile, Italian health minister Orazio Schillaci said that the ban is based on precautionary principles. This echoes what the new rightwing government, led by Giorgia Meloni, promised before coming into power – protecting food from technological advancements. 

Just last November, the FFDA cleared cell-cultured chicken for human consumption after ‘careful evaluation.’ Despite no approval sought by the European Food Safety Authority, the EU Commission has suggested that this could be considered a promising and innovative solution for health and environmentally friendly food systems. 

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