OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today commented on a bill that will move to the governor that would require food manufacturers to correctly label products that come from plants or insect proteins instead of identifying them as meat.

House Bill 1126 passed the Senate this morning on a vote of 40-7. It previously passed the House on a vote of 86-7. The governor will now consider signing it into law.

"People should know where their food comes from," Grego said. "If it comes from insect proteins, plant products, a Petri dish, no matter where it comes from, this legislation would make sure it's labeled correctly so people will know what they are consuming. We have to maintain a safe food supply."

Grego thanked Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, the Senate author of the bill, for securing its passage in his legislative chamber.

“This legislation will offer additional protections to Oklahoma consumers, ensuring they know exactly what they are purchasing and consuming, while also ensuring that those who aim to mislead consumers through deceptive advertising or the mislabeling of alternative meat products are held accountable,” Pederson said. “I extend my appreciation to Rep. Grego for bringing this bill forward this session and look forward to seeing it signed into law to support consumer protection and education, as well as truth in labeling.”

Under the provisions of the bill, the burden of proof would be on the manufacturer and not the retailer, Grego said. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry would be responsible for investigating all credible complaints that food products are falsely advertised or misbranded as meat products.

Any person convicted of violating the act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.