Italian government to ban lab-made foods

The Italian government has announced plans to ban synthetic meat, defying claims that test-tube steaks are good for the environment as it wages a patriotic war to defend traditional Italian food.

A government bill will forbid the creation or sale of laboratory-made foods or animal feed, with fines of up to €60,000 for violators, whose companies could be closed by the police.

“Italy is the first nation to say no to synthetic food, which we believe does not guarantee health, quality or — and I say this with pride — the protection of our culture and traditions,” Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s minister of agriculture and food sovereignty, said.