H.R.3358 - Harvest to Hue Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3358, the "Harvest to Hue Act," directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enhance the capacity of United States farmers to produce natural color additives. This involves facilitating efforts within the Department of Agriculture, promoting collaboration among federal agencies, agricultural producers, and food industry partners, and focusing research initiatives to support this goal.
The bill aims to broaden markets for U.S. farmers and promote benefits to the food supply by ensuring the continued integrity of food resources in the United States. It emphasizes the importance of objective science and risk-based evaluation processes to support public health, transparency, and consumer trust and safety.
The Act focuses on leveraging U.S. agriculture's potential in providing natural food color additives, meeting consumer preferences, and upholding product safety.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is an increase in the production and use of natural color additives derived from U.S. agricultural products. This could lead to a shift in the food industry towards more natural ingredients.
It may also result in increased economic opportunities for farmers and related industries. Furthermore, it could influence consumer perception and trust in the food supply.
Potential Benefits
- Increased economic opportunities for U.S. farmers through new markets for natural color additives.
- Enhanced consumer access to food products with natural ingredients.
- Promotion of collaboration between government agencies, agricultural producers, and the food industry.
- Potential for innovation and research in agricultural practices related to natural color additives.
- Strengthening the integrity and safety of the U.S. food supply.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs for food manufacturers, which could be passed on to consumers.
- Possible challenges in scaling up production of natural color additives to meet industry demand.
- Uncertainty regarding the long-term environmental impacts of increased agricultural production for color additives.
- Risk of unintended consequences from shifting research focus within the Department of Agriculture.
- Dependence on specific crops, which could be vulnerable to climate change or disease.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote the health and safety of the food supply. Specifically, the preamble of the Constitution states the goal to "promote the general Welfare".
Furthermore, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce, which could be interpreted to include the regulation of food additives and the promotion of agricultural products. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
However, the extent of federal intervention in agriculture is a recurring subject of debate, and some may argue that this bill exceeds the scope of federal power.
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).