Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions Act or the CURD ActThis bill establishes a statutory definition for natural cheese. Under the bill, natural cheese is defined as cheese (ripened or unripened soft, semi-soft, or hard) that is produced from animal milk or certain dairy ingredients and is produced in accordance with established cheese-making standards. The definition excludes pasteurized process cheeses, cheese foods, and cheese spreads.A food that does not meet this definition is deemed misbranded and may not be sold if its label includes the term natural cheese as a factual descriptor of a category of cheese.
If enacted, SB184 would impact food labeling regulations by embedding a legal definition for 'natural cheese' in federal law. This change is intended to enhance consumer trust by ensuring that foods marketed as natural cheese adhere to specific criteria, ultimately promoting greater transparency within the food industry. It would also pave the way for uniformity in cheese production standards across the United States, affecting how manufacturers label their products and potentially influencing industry practices.
The Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions Act, or SB184, introduced in the U.S. Senate, aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by providing a clear definition of the term 'natural cheese.' This defines natural cheese as a product made through the coagulation of milk proteins without the inclusion of additives that would classify the product as 'process cheese.' The bill is positioned to ensure consistent labeling across the cheese manufacturing industry, allowing consumers to differentiate natural cheese from processed varieties more effectively.
Overall, SB184 addresses an important gap in food labeling legislation regarding the definition of natural cheese. By providing a precise definition, it seeks to protect consumers and maintain consistent standards within the dairy industry, though it also raises concerns around innovation and regulatory burdens for cheesemakers.
While the bill has garnered support for its consumer protection goals, there are points of contention among various stakeholders in the dairy industry. Some producers may argue that the legal definition might restrict their ability to innovate with cheese products, especially if they use non-traditional methods or ingredients. The bill has the potential to lead to debates about the implications of labeling and definitions in food products more broadly, including what constitutes 'natural' in food marketing.