MIAMI. In a final celebration before Florida’s ban on lab-grown meat takes effect, California-based Upside Foods hosted a cultivated meat-tasting party in Miami. The event took place Thursday evening on a rooftop in the vibrant Wynwood neighborhood, known for its art, breweries, and trendy dining spots.

“This is delicious meat,” said Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods. “We just fundamentally believe that people should have a choice to choose what they want to put on their plate.”

Florida’s ban, effective next week, follows the approval of “cell-cultivated” meat by U.S. authorities in June 2023. Despite this approval, Florida and Alabama have banned the sale of cultivated meat and seafood, citing concerns for farmers and potential safety risks.

Governor Ron DeSantis, supported by Florida cattle ranchers, signed the ban into law in May. Valeti expressed disappointment, noting that state officials did not consult Upside Foods before the legislation was passed. “It’s pretty clear to us that the governor and the government have been misinformed,” Valeti stated. “All we’re asking for is a chance to have a direct conversation and say, ‘this is proven science, this is proven safety.’”

Cultivated meat is produced in steel tanks using animal cells, which are nurtured with a blend of water, sugar, fats, and vitamins. Once grown, these cells are shaped into various forms such as cutlets and nuggets.

Chef Mika Leon of Caja Caliente in Coral Gables prepared cultivated chicken for the event, serving chicken tostadas with avocado, chipotle crema, and beet sprouts. “When you cook it, it sizzles and cooks just like chicken, which was insane,” Leon said. “And then when you go to eat it, it’s juicy.”

Guests at the reception shared positive feedback. Alexa Arteaga appreciated the ethical implications, stating, “The texture itself is a little bit different, but the taste was really, really good. Like way better than I was expecting.” Skyler Myers noted the similarity to conventional chicken when eating the tostada, saying, “There’s no difference. I mean, there’s no way you would ever know.”

Valeti highlighted the environmental and health benefits of cultivated meat, emphasizing that their production facilities resemble breweries or dairy plants rather than traditional labs. “We don’t have any confined animals,” he said. “We just have healthy animal cells that are growing in cultivators.”

Despite cultivated meat being too expensive for widespread market availability, Upside Foods and other companies are striving to reduce costs and challenge bans through petitions and potential legal action. Upside Foods’ chief legal officer, Sean Edgett, argued that federal regulations should override state bans, which he views as unconstitutional. “We’re hopeful that if lawmakers can’t change their mind and turn things around back to an avenue of progress that the courts will step in and make that clear,” Edgett said.

Supporters of the ban, such as State Sen. Jay Collins, prioritize safety and the protection of Florida’s agriculture industry. Collins remarked, “Let’s not be in a rush to replace something. It’s a billion-dollar industry. We feed a ton of people across the country with our cattle, beef, pork, poultry and fish industries.”

Valeti remains focused on providing more dietary options, not replacing existing industries. “We want to have multiple choices that feed us,” he said. “Some of those choices are conventional farming. Some of those choices are coming from plant-based foods. And cultivated meat is another solid choice.”