Bill to centralize regulation of pet food products in the US is stuck in Congress

The PURR Act (Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024), introduced in the US House of Representatives in February to implement a streamlined regulatory process for labeling pet food products, has been at a standstill for more than 3 months. 

The bill was initially referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Subcommittee on Health but hasn’t been considered yet. The Energy and Commerce Committee tells GlobalPETS that, so far, there are no updates or indications of when the bill will move into the next legislative steps. 

The Pet Food Institute (PFI), which expressed its support for the bill, now admits that “it is impossible to forecast a timeline for a vote on the bill.” 

“However, it is our goal—and the goal of the bill’s sponsors—that the legislation be voted on this year,” they admit to GlobalPETS.

From state to federal

The bill gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jurisdiction to regulate the labeling and marketing requirements of pet food. If approved, pet food manufacturers would no longer be subject to state laws but to a federal regulatory framework. 

The federal body would have almost complete control over the approval or objection of submitted pet food ingredient labels. It would also be responsible for drafting guidelines based on the new standards recently issued by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

The PURR Act establishes that the FDA should issue such guidance within 18 months after the bill comes into law, followed by a regulatory proposal within a year. Final regulations covering the marketing and labeling of pet food products should be proposed in 2 years.

The bill also establishes that the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine would be responsible for conducting science-based reviews of pet food ingredients.

Industry reactions

The PFI believes there is a need to “modernize food regulations” and that the legislation intends to “better meet the needs of pets and pet owners by streamlining the approval process under the FDA and eliminating inconsistent state interpretations and decisions regarding labeling.”

“We are supporting federal legislation that would replace the current inefficient patchwork approach between states and the federal government with consistent national standards that are predictable, clearly defined, and encourage innovation and speed to market,” says PFI President and CEO Dana Brooks.

Less transparency?

However, AAFCO has shared concerns that if this new law enters into force, the layer of consumer protection would “completely go away,” and pet food label transparency would be reduced. 

The association raised concerns about the removal of the verification process by state feed programs, which, according to them, are the “first line of defense protecting consumers from misleading or mislabeled pet food products.”

“Many state regulators proactively inspect pet food labeling before products hit the market to ensure that any marketing claims on the label or packaging are accurate and have the necessary scientific data to validate the statements,” explains AAFCO’s Executive Director Austin Therrell.

AFFCO also raised concerns regarding a new “ingredients sometimes present” clause that allows manufacturers to change or omit ingredients without disclosing complete information. According to Therrell, the lack of transparency for consumers who purchase food based on allergen requirements could lead to potential health risks.