Federal Government Denies Iowa’s Request to Ban Food Assistance Funds from Purchasing Meat and Egg Substitutes

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The federal government has denied Iowa’s request for a waiver to prohibit SNAP recipients from using benefits to purchase lab-grown meat or egg substitute products. The request was made due to concerns about the nutritional value of these products and to protect Iowa’s livestock farmers. However, the USDA found that the waiver request did not meet the criteria for approval, including improving program administration or increasing the self-sufficiency of SNAP recipients. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia have not responded to the denial. The law attempting to ban meat and egg substitutes was passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed into law by Reynolds in May. It also prohibits lab-grown meat substitutes from being used in Iowa school meals and requires clear labeling on non-meat foods. The denial of Iowa’s waiver request highlights the ongoing debate over the regulation and acceptance of lab-grown meat products in the agriculture industry.

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