Cultured meat company Upside Foods has revealed that it will host a pop-up event on June 27th to celebrate “the future of food and the importance of food freedom” ahead of Florida’s statewide cultured meat ban, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1st.
Upside Foods is the first company to receive regulatory approval from the FDA and USDA to introduce cultured meat products to the U.S. market. Cultured meat is produced by culturing cells extracted from an animal’s body, without the slaughter of the animal.
On May 1, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1084, making it illegal to produce and sell cultured meat in Florida, according to Upside Foods.
“Cultured meat is essential to the future of food, and we believe people should have the right to choose what they put on their plate,” Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods, said in a statement. “This legislation ignores food safety experts, limits consumer choice, and stifles American innovation. It’s a setback for progress, job creation, and potential for new industries in Florida. We believe in a future where everyone has access to delicious food options, and this event is our way of showcasing what’s possible.”
The event will feature Miami chef, restaurateur and television personality Mika Leon and mixologist Gio Gutierrez and is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
