Milk, Meat Substitutes Won't Need New Labels In Arizona After Bill Fails
Arizona shoppers who like soy milk won't have to start hunting around for the product to find it under some new label.
Ditto for those who are fans of almond butter.
A Globe rancher and state lawmaker tried to warn fellow legislators laboratory-grown meats are not too far away from grocery store shelves.
Nevertheless, Rep. David Cook's colleagues rejected his bill by a 36-22 margin that would have limited the use of labels that say "milk" or "meat" if it didn't come from a naturally lactating animal.
The bill would have forced the makers of milk and meat substitutes, like almond milk, to change packaging.
Tucson Democratic Rep. Kirsten Engel reminded lawmakers it would impact other foods already sharing shelf space.
"I would just like to offer a few more examples to think about, besides peanut butter: apple butter, there's even pumpkin butter, nut meat and mincemeat pie," she said.
Cook said after the vote he may try again, but this time limiting the legislation to just the production of lab-created meats.
