Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Reynolds signs meat substitute labeling requirements into law

Also, FEMA canvassing Iowa neighborhoods hit by tornadoes

Meat substitute products, like vegetable and plant-based burgers, must feature prominent labeling that makes clear the product is not meat under a measure signed into law Wednesday by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The new law also prohibits lab-grown products from being used in school lunches and bars low-income Iowans from using food assistance benefits to purchase egg alternatives.

Reynolds signed the bill into law at an Iowa County farm near Ladora.

“This legislation prohibits companies from exploiting the trust consumers have with our livestock producers and misleading consumers into buying products they don’t want,” Reynolds said in a statement. “This is about transparency. It’s about the common-sense idea that a product labeled chicken, beef or pork should actually come from an animal.”

Under the new law, the state Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing will create rules and impose civil penalties on food manufacturing plants that mislabel non-meat foods.

Republican lawmakers said the measure will promote transparency in food production and help promote Iowa’s meat and agriculture industry.

Late in the legislative process, Republicans in the Iowa House amended the bill to add the provision that says Iowans enrolled in food assistance programs like SNAP for low-income individuals and WIC for low-income mothers cannot use those benefits to purchase egg substitute products.

Because those programs are jointly funded and operated with the federal government, Iowa must apply for a federal waiver to enforce that policy.

Lab-grown meat products also are prohibited from food assistance purchases or in school meals.

The bill passed both chambers on mostly party-line votes, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing. Senate File 2391 passed the Iowa House, 60-34, and the Iowa Senate, 33-12.

FEMA canvassing areas hit by Iowa tornadoes

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials on Wednesday began canvassing neighborhoods in Iowa to assist those impacted by last month’s by tornadoes.

According to the National Weather Service, more than 20 tornadoes struck Iowa on April 26, killing one in the hard-hit town of Minden in western Iowa.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will be working in Pottawattamie and Shelby counties in Iowa, then visiting other Iowa counties impacted by the severe weather.

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for eight Iowa counties that were hit last month by tornadoes. The declaration opens federal funding for families and businesses impacted by that day’s destructive storms in Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union counties.

FEMA personnel can help homeowners and renters apply for money to pay for a temporary place to live, home repairs, medical expenses and other needs not covered by insurance. They also provide referrals to additional community resources, according to a news release.

Residents are reminded to ask for official photo identification before providing personal information to anyone.

FEMA has opened two disaster recovery centers in Nebraska, and Iowa residents are welcome to visit those centers. Work is underway to identify a location in Iowa, according to FEMA.

The Nebraska disaster recovery centers are at the Omaha Police Department in Elkhorn and the First Lutheran Church in Blair. Both centers are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.