H.R.597 - Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025; PURR Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.597, the Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 (PURR Act), aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish national uniformity in the regulation of pet food labels, labeling, and advertising. The bill seeks to streamline the regulatory process for pet food ingredients and create a more predictable regulatory environment. It emphasizes the growing pet food industry and the need to update regulations to meet the evolving needs of pets and their owners.
Expected Effects
The PURR Act will preempt state regulations regarding pet food labeling and advertising, establishing a uniform federal standard. This will likely lead to increased efficiency in the pet food industry due to simplified compliance requirements. The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine will have increased responsibility for pet food regulation.
Potential Benefits
- Uniform Standards: Creates consistent nationwide standards for pet food labeling and advertising.
- Innovation: Streamlines the approval process for new pet food ingredients, fostering innovation.
- Economic Growth: Supports the growing pet food industry and related agricultural sectors.
- Clarity for Consumers: Provides clearer and more consistent information to pet owners about pet food ingredients and nutritional value.
- Nutritional Advances: Encourages the development of more nutritious pet food options.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced State Authority: Preempts state regulations, potentially limiting states' ability to address specific local concerns related to pet food safety and labeling.
- Potential for Lacking Oversight: Could lead to reduced oversight if the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine is not adequately resourced to handle its expanded responsibilities.
- Small Business Impact: Smaller pet food manufacturers may find it challenging to comply with new federal regulations.
- Unintended Consequences: The streamlined approval process could potentially lead to unforeseen safety issues if not carefully monitored.
- Loss of Local Adaptation: Uniformity may not account for regional differences in pet dietary needs or preferences.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on regulating interstate commerce aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states. By establishing uniform federal standards for pet food labeling and advertising, the PURR Act seeks to facilitate interstate trade in pet food products. The delegation of responsibility to the Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine is consistent with Congress's power to create agencies to execute laws.
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).