Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB7380

Introduced

2/15/24

Refer

2/15/24

Refer

2/16/24

Caption

PURR Act of 2024 Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024

Impact

The PURR Act will significantly affect state-level pet food regulations by preempting any local state authority to establish their own marketing or labeling requirements for pet food. This centralization is intended to provide clarity and consistency within the pet food industry, which has been operating under a somewhat scattered regulatory regime. The bill emphasizes that states cannot enact conflicting rules, thereby creating a uniform federal standard. This change is likely to enhance competition in the pet food market and ensure that all manufacturers adhere to the same rigorous safety and labeling standards, ultimately benefiting consumers and their pets.

Summary

House Bill 7380, officially titled the 'Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024' (PURR Act), seeks to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Its primary aim is to streamline the regulation of pet food and ensure uniformity in the marketing and labeling practices related to companion animal food across the United States. This initiative is in response to the growing pet food market and the increasing consumer demand for clarity regarding the nutrition and safety of pet products. With pet food sales on the rise, the bill is designed to enhance the existing regulatory framework to reflect contemporary understandings of pet care and nutrition.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the PURR Act may encounter opposition from those concerned that federal preemption might eliminate local jurisdictions' ability to address specific regional pet health issues or nutritional preferences. Some animal welfare advocacy groups may argue that the bill could prioritize corporate interests in large-scale pet food production over the welfare of companion animals by potentially allowing less stringent ingredient oversight at the state level. Therefore, ongoing dialogues among stakeholders in the pet food industry, regulators, and consumer advocacy groups will be essential in shaping how the law is implemented.

Latest HB7380 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB597

Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 or the PURR Act of 2025This bill establishes the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) as the sole regulatory authority over pet food for dogs and cats. It also provides certain flexibilities for pet food manufacturers with respect to the types of ingredients they may use and the associated labeling and marketing requirements.The bill specifies that, with exceptions for certain existing oversight activities, no state or local government may establish, implement, or enforce any authority or requirement relating to pet food marketing or labeling and instead provides for oversight by the CVM.The bill requires the CVM to review and act on pet food ingredient submissions within 90 days. Additionally, the bill provides a presumption that pet food ingredients are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) if they are recognized as acceptable per the Association of American Feed Control Officials and the CVM does not find otherwise. Manufacturers may voluntarily notify the CVM of ingredients that are considered GRAS but that have not yet been specifically recognized as such.The bill also allows manufacturers to state, without prior approval, that their products (1) sometimes, but not always, have certain ingredients (e.g., flavors); (2) have certain health benefits (e.g., tartar control); or (3) are human grade or natural, if certain conditions are met.  