Groups sue Texas over new law that bans lab

AUSTIN, Texas — The state of Texas is facing a lawsuit over a new law that bans the sale of so-called "lab-grown meat."

Senate Bill 261 took effect on Sept. 1. It bans the manufacture, processing, possession, destitution and sale of cell-cultured protein products – meat grown from animal cells in laboratories – for at least two years and imposes severe penalties, including fines of up to $25,000 per day and possible jail time for violators.

Now, California-based Wildtype, Inc. and Upside Foods, Inc. are suing the state through the nonprofit law firm Institute for Justice, saying SB 261 is unconstitutional and unfairly targets out-of-state businesses.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Austin this week, argues that the ban violates the Commerce Clause of the Constitution by discrim