OKLAHOMA CITY — A 2019 legislative priority for the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association was completed late last week when Governor Stitt signed into law a bill that prohibits the deceptive or misleading labeling of meat products.
“We are really excited to see this bill cross the finish line,” said Executive Vice President, Michael Kelsey. “The basis of this bill is to protect the integrity of our product.”
Senate Bill 392, authored by Senator Michael Bergstrom of Adair passed both Legislative Chambers with only one ‘no’ vote recorded. Representative Toni Hasenbeck of Elgin, an OCA member, carried the bill on the House side of the Legislature.
SB 392 ensures that package labeling will be true and accurate giving consumers confidence in their meat product purchases. It is important to note that SB 392 does not mandate a label, rather it specifies what products can and cannot use certain labels. The new law will go into effect ninety days after the Legislature adjourns.
“Oklahoma’s beef cattle ranchers work very hard every day to produce a safe and wholesome product, beef, for consumers. Therefore, consumers know and appreciate that beef comes from cattle raised and cared for by responsible ranchers,” said Kelsey. “New technologies that utilize cell culturing to produce meat products in a laboratory would like to take advantage of wholesome terms like ‘beef’ for their products. SB 392 would ensure that packaging of lab cultured, and plant substitute products may not pirate the term ‘beef’.”
The OCA is the trusted voice of the Oklahoma Cattle Industry. OCA is the only voice that speaks solely for the cattlemen of Oklahoma and represents beef producers in all 77 counties across the state. The OCA officers, board of directors and membership encourages you to join us in our advocacy efforts to ensure less government intervention, lower taxes and a better bottom line. For more information about OCA membership, the theft reward program or activities call 405-235-4391 or visit www.okcattlemen.org.
–Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association
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