H.R.3324 - Safer Shrimp Imports Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3324, the Safer Shrimp Imports Act, aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to enhance the inspection of foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold shrimp intended for consumption in the United States. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services seek agreements with foreign governments to ensure their food inspection systems for shrimp are equivalent to that of the FDA. It also stipulates that shrimp from countries without such agreements or equivalent systems will be denied entry into the U.S.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased safety of shrimp imports by ensuring foreign facilities meet U.S. standards. This could lead to higher costs for imported shrimp if foreign facilities need to upgrade their processes to comply. Ultimately, the bill seeks to protect American consumers from potentially unsafe imported shrimp.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced food safety for American consumers by ensuring imported shrimp meets U.S. standards.
- Reduced risk of foodborne illnesses associated with contaminated shrimp.
- Increased consumer confidence in the safety of imported shrimp.
- Potential for improved practices in foreign shrimp processing facilities.
- Greater transparency and accountability in the shrimp import process.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs of imported shrimp due to compliance requirements.
- Possible trade disputes with countries that do not meet the required standards.
- Increased administrative burden on the FDA to inspect and oversee foreign facilities.
- Potential for delays in shrimp imports if foreign facilities are slow to comply.
- Possible negative impact on small businesses that rely on affordable imported shrimp.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to protect the health and safety of American consumers. Specifically, the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, which this bill directly addresses by setting standards for imported goods. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or freedoms.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).