The "Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025," or PURR Act, seeks to modernize and standardize the regulation of companion animal pet food across the United States. It addresses the current multifaceted and inconsistent regulatory framework, which previously varied by state and was based on a system originally designed for livestock feed. The bill aims to create a streamlined federal process to foster innovation, improve marketplace certainty, and enhance companion animal nutrition. A core provision of the Act is the establishment of national uniformity by preempting state or local requirements related to the labels, labeling, and advertising of pet food. However, it explicitly preserves state authority over food safety oversight activities. The bill also defines "pet food" to include treats and supplements for domesticated canines and felines, and clarifies the status of certain ingredients as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) based on AAFCO publications. The legislation mandates that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review pet food ingredient submissions within 90 days, requiring an action letter for approval or outlining specific deficiencies. It also provides clear guidelines for ingredient listing, allowing for "sometimes present" labeling for certain ingredient types and an exception for ingredients present at 2% or less by weight. Furthermore, the Act specifies several marketing claims, such as those for hairball control, tartar control, urinary tract health, "human grade," and "natural," that do not require premarket FDA approval if they are truthful, nonmisleading, and adequately substantiated under defined criteria. The bill delegates primary responsibility for pet food regulation to the Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine within the FDA. This includes conducting science-based reviews, educating stakeholders, and performing research. Finally, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue proposed regulations within one year and finalize them within two years, incorporating specific model regulations from the AAFCO Official Publication to implement these changes.
The "Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025," or PURR Act, seeks to modernize and standardize the regulation of companion animal pet food across the United States. It addresses the current multifaceted and inconsistent regulatory framework, which previously varied by state and was based on a system originally designed for livestock feed. The bill aims to create a streamlined federal process to foster innovation, improve marketplace certainty, and enhance companion animal nutrition. A core provision of the Act is the establishment of national uniformity by preempting state or local requirements related to the labels, labeling, and advertising of pet food. However, it explicitly preserves state authority over food safety oversight activities. The bill also defines "pet food" to include treats and supplements for domesticated canines and felines, and clarifies the status of certain ingredients as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) based on AAFCO publications. The legislation mandates that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review pet food ingredient submissions within 90 days, requiring an action letter for approval or outlining specific deficiencies. It also provides clear guidelines for ingredient listing, allowing for "sometimes present" labeling for certain ingredient types and an exception for ingredients present at 2% or less by weight. Furthermore, the Act specifies several marketing claims, such as those for hairball control, tartar control, urinary tract health, "human grade," and "natural," that do not require premarket FDA approval if they are truthful, nonmisleading, and adequately substantiated under defined criteria. The bill delegates primary responsibility for pet food regulation to the Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine within the FDA. This includes conducting science-based reviews, educating stakeholders, and performing research. Finally, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue proposed regulations within one year and finalize them within two years, incorporating specific model regulations from the AAFCO Official Publication to implement these changes.