The Pet Food Institute (PFI), whose members produce the vast majority of dog and cat food and treats in the United States, announced its support for the reintroduction of federal legislation that would modernize and streamline how pet food is regulated.
Under the proposed bill, H.R.597, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have regulatory authority over the labeling and ingredient review process for dog and cat food and treats, replacing the outdated and inconsistent state-by-state approach currently used for ingredient and label approval.
“Dog and cat owners not only want to ensure the same high quality pet foods they trust to nourish their beloved dogs and cats but expect the products to reflect the latest in nutritional science and ingredient innovation,” said PFI President and CEO Dana Brooks. “To continue delivering on that commitment, 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.”
The bipartisan legislation, called the Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 (PURR Act), was introduced yesterday by Reps. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.). It was first introduced by Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.) in February 2024 as the Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024 and had 18 total cosponsors.
“With nearly 66% of U.S. households owning a pet, it’s important that the owners receive the best quality food to keep their pet healthy. Unfortunately, pet food manufacturers are forced to deal with a nearly 100-year-old, costly and confusing dual regulatory system, making it difficult for them to invest in new and improved products,” said Rep. Womack. “My legislation would cut red tape and streamline the system by granting sole authority to the FDA to regulate the labeling and marketing of pet food. By removing the current state-by-state regulatory patchwork and modernizing the system, pet food makers can provide nutritious food for our beloved pets.”
The proposed legislation would provide for centralized federal regulatory oversight by the FDA and eliminate inconsistent state interpretations and decisions impacting ingredient and pet food label approvals that adversely affect consumer access to safe and nutritious products. The legislation calls for clearly defined performance measures for the FDA, including new ingredient review and approval timelines, overseen by the U.S. Congress.
“Outdated, overbearing, and unnecessarily complicated regulations have stifled production and ingenuity across all American industries, including pet food. The archaic regulations currently in place have meant pet food producers in Kansas and across the country spend more time worrying about meeting mismatched guidelines and less time innovating new products; fortunately, the PURR Act provides a solution,” said Rep. Schmidt. “By instituting uniform, streamlined pet food standards, we’ll be empowering businesses to succeed while ensuring that American pet owners have access to quality and nutritious food for their pets. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues and look forward to helping move it through Congress and voting for it on the House floor.”
Under the new legislation, State Departments of Agriculture and other state officials would still engage in quality inspections and product registrations, but label reviews would be streamlined under the FDA. The law would result in a modernized pet food regulatory framework more like how human foods are regulated.
“As someone who’s fostered multiple dogs with my wife Pam, I know how important it is to trust the food we’re putting in their bowls. This bill ensures that no matter where you’re buying pet food, it meets the same high standard for nutrition and quality. It’s good for our pets and good for businesses trying to navigate outdated red tape,” said Rep. Harder.