For weeks, hundreds of Florida residents called for lawmakers to strike out a portion of a bill that could have affected what they said was their lawful criticism against agricultural foods and practices.
And it worked.
Lawmakers axed the language in this year’s Farm Bill (SB 290) that originally would have given farmers and growers greater ability to sue people for “false” statements about their products.
But what was known as the “food libel” provision was deleted from the Senate bill Feb. 10 – although Sen. Keith Truenow, who filed the bill, opposed the move.
Similar language in a House version also was cut Feb. 24, and that chamber passed its bill March 3. Otherwise, it would have made Florida’s laws the most strict among what are known as food disparagement regulations.
The food disparagement section wasn’t mentioned on the House floor March 3, despite it being the main talking point over weeks of committees, hours of public comment and online outrage on X and Facebook.
The original language particularly would have allowed farmers and growers to sue for false claims about all agricultural products and practices, rather than just perishable foods under existing law since 1994. Critics said the measure specifically would have shielded Florida’s major sugar producers, who have faced public criticism for sugar cane burning practices.
Further, the original bill sparked bipartisan outrage from Key West through Florida’s Panhandle. Opponents voiced concerns through multiple committees and said the measure would chill speech.
And advocates from the MAHA movement — the Trump administration’s health agenda known as Make America Health Again — weighed in to say the bill went against the movement’s goals of transparency and informed consent.
Ten lawmakers voted against the Farm Bill. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, previously said in the House State Affairs Committee that she was concerned about some of the “First Amendment dynamics.”
“I wouldn’t want a child doing something like selling Girl Scout cookies to be accused of committing a crime or breaking the law,” she said.
What’s next
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@usatodayco.com. On X: @stephanymatat.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida lawmakers remove ‘food libel’ provision from Farm Bill
Reporting by Stephany Matat, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
