VirginiaHB3222026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Misbranded food; manufactured-protein food products, civil penalty.

Sponsored By: Jackie H. Glass (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Misbranded food; manufactured-protein food products; civil penalty. Provides that a food is misbranded if it purports to be or is represented as a meat food product or poultry product and such food product (i) bears or contains a manufactured-protein food product, as defined in the bill; (ii) is offered for sale; and (iii) has a label that is part of or placed on the food product package or other container storing such product that identifies the food as a meat food product or poultry product, unless such label bears a conspicuous and prominent qualifying term and is in close proximity to an identifying meat term, as such terms are defined in the bill. The bill exempts a meat food product that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services determines contains a trace amount of a manufactured-protein food product, prohibits the sale or offering for sale of a food product that is misbranded pursuant to the provisions of the bill, and makes doing so a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill provides that a person who violates the provisions of the bill is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 and allows the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt increased civil penalties not to exceed $500 for first, second, and subsequent violations of the bill. This bill is identical to SB 186.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Fines for misbranding meat products

If you sell or offer a misbranded product under the manufactured‑protein labeling rule, you can be fined up to $500 for each product. The Board can set higher amounts for repeat violations, but each fine cannot exceed $500. The Commissioner assesses and collects the fines and sends them to the Department.

Clear labels for shoppers on meat alternatives

The law requires clear labels when a product contains plant-, fungus-, insect-, or cell‑cultivated protein but uses a meat or poultry term. A qualifying word must appear right next to the meat term, such as “plant‑based,” “lab‑grown,” or “vegan.” A product with only a trace amount, as determined by the Department, is not misbranded. Sellers must not offer or sell misbranded products. You can use Virginia’s consumer protection law to seek civil remedies if a seller misbrands these products.

No criminal charges for misbranded 'meat'

Violations of the manufactured‑protein labeling rule are not crimes. Businesses face civil penalties only. Other food law crimes still carry criminal penalties as before.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jackie H. Glass

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 234 • No: 2

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 95 • No: 2

House vote 2/4/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Yes: 21 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote 1/28/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0107)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 107 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/25/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB322)

    3/16/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB322ER)

    3/14/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/9/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  13. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/5/2026Senate
  14. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  15. Rules suspended

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  18. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

    2/11/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/11/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House (95-Y 2-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026House
  21. Read second time and engrossed

    2/9/2026House
  22. Read first time

    2/6/2026House
  23. Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (21-Y 0-N 1-A)

    2/4/2026House
  24. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    1/28/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB322)

    1/26/2026House

Bill Text

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