Hungary Enacts Ban on Production and Sale of Cultivated Meat

Parliament Approves Cultivated Meat Ban

On November 18, 2025, the Hungarian Parliament decisively passed legislation to ban the production, marketing, and sale of cultivated meat within the country. The measure received significant support, with 140 lawmakers voting in favor, 10 against, and 18 abstaining. This new law defines cultivated meat as any product isolated or produced from animal cells or tissue under artificial conditions outside a living organism. Notably, the ban does not extend to plant-based meat alternatives.

The legislation includes specific exemptions, allowing the use of cultivated meat exclusively for medical and veterinary purposes. The bill, formally introduced in March 2025 by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, is currently awaiting final presidential approval.

Government Cites Protection of Tradition and Health

Hungarian officials have articulated several reasons for implementing the ban. Agriculture Minister István Nagy has been a prominent voice, emphasizing the need to protect 'traditional rural lifestyles, human health, and the environment' from what he described as risks associated with non-traditional food technologies. Nagy stated that 'food production must remain connected to farmland as a cornerstone of Hungarian culture,' warning that widespread adoption of lab-grown meat could 'alter European lifestyles and traditions.'

The government's concerns also extend to potential health implications and environmental impact. The Ministry of Agriculture has argued that cultivated meat 'raises numerous questions and concerns' and is therefore 'presumed to be unsafe.' They also claim that artificial meat has a 'large ecological footprint and increases social inequalities.' Prime Minister Viktor Orbán previously addressed the issue in his 2024 annual state-of-the-nation address, suggesting that the European Union was promoting 'artificial meat and low-quality GMO products' in Hungary.

European Union Criticism and Broader Context

Hungary's decision places it as the second European Union member state to ban cultivated meat, following Italy, which enacted a similar prohibition in 2023. However, the move has drawn criticism from other EU member states and the European Commission. The Commission has reportedly called Hungary's action 'unnecessary' and 'damaging to the single market,' and has deemed the justification for the ban 'unjustified.'

The Hungarian government had submitted a Technical Regulations Information System notification to the European Commission to explain its plans, but this justification was rejected. Organizations like ProVeg International have expressed disappointment, with their health and nutrition manager, Valentina Gallani, noting that cultivated meat 'can offer a sustainable protein alternative without replacing conventional animal farming.' Currently, cultivated meat is considered a novel food product within the EU, requiring prior authorization before it can be sold in any member state.