The law gives the Missouri Department of Agriculture the ability to investigate and refer potential labeling violations to the Attorney General’s office or a county prosecutor.

The groups say the law violates their First Amendment right to free speech, but Gaitan wrote that Tofurky would not be affected by the law because its labels truthfully disclose that their products are plant-based or lab-grown.

“Thus, plaintiffs have not shown that they are at any risk of either prosecution for violating the statute or that there is any need to change their labels or advocacy efforts,” the judge said.

The decision comes after settlement talks broke down in July. The two sides had reached a tentative agreement last year, but were not able to come to a final resolution.

Missouri is not alone in facing a lawsuit over the labeling restrictions.

The coalition earlier this year sued Arkansas saying a law there also censors speech. A Mississippi law also is in litigation. Other states with labeling laws include Montana, South Dakota, Louisiana and Wyoming.

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