REAL Butter Act

Key Points

• This bill would change how companies label butter made in a lab. If a product uses milkfat made through artificial processes instead of traditional farming, it must clearly say 'lab-created butter' on the package.
• The goal is to help shoppers tell the difference between traditional butter and new alternatives. Supporters believe people have a right to know if their food comes from a farm or a laboratory.
• This rule would apply to any food sold as butter that does not meet the official legal definition of butter set in 1923. It also applies to food products that use lab-made butter as an ingredient.
• Dairy farmers and traditional food producers would likely benefit because it protects the 'butter' name for natural products. Companies making lab-grown dairy would have to update their packaging to follow these new rules.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.