Pet Food Processing - May 2024 - 12

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
regulatory barriers, facilitating interstate commerce and
broadening consumer choice. The PURR Act's focus on
labeling and marketing practices aligns with consumer
demands for greater product information and ensures
informed decision-making.
Weaknesses of the PURR Act
Despite its merits, the PURR Act presents certain shortcomings
and challenges. One is the potential for increased
regulatory burden and compliance costs. These additional
costs would create barriers for entry and product innovation,
particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
While standardization is appealing, the preemption
of state regulations raises questions about the adequacy
of federal oversight. Furthermore, the PURR Act may
lack sufficient funding to provide mechanisms for enforcement
and oversight, leading to concerns about
regulatory effectiveness. Additionally, it is not clear if
the accountability and preservation of current consumer
protections at the state level will remain.
The role of SROs
The adoption of a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO)
emerges as a viable solution. Comprised of industry experts,
WHAT
IS THE PURR ACT?
The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act
of 2024 (PURR Act), H.R. 7380, introduced on
Feb. 15, proposes to give the US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority
over the labeling and ingredient review
process for dog and cat foods and treats.
The current system allows individual states to
regulate ingredient and label approval.
Representatives Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.),
Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Sharice Davids
(D-Kan.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.) and Steve
Womack (R-Ark.) co-sponsored the bill.
" Pet food manufacturers deal with a
confusing, costly and conflicting dual
regulatory system that hasn't been updated in
nearly 100 years, " Womack said. " The PURR
Act would streamline the outdated system by
granting sole authority to the FDA to regulate
the labeling and marketing of pet food while
eliminating the state-by-state regulatory
patchwork. "
regulatory authorities and consumer advocacy
groups, SROs play a pivotal role in supplementing government
regulation. SROs are tasked with setting industry
best practices and establishing voluntary compliance programs
including thorough self-assessments and audits.
This mechanism would enhance transparency, accountability
and trust within the pet care industry.
Further, by promoting collaboration among stakeholders,
SROs facilitate dialogue which leads to further innovation
and continuous improvement.
The PURR Act represents a significant milestone in the
ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen regulatory
oversight in the pet care industry. While the act addresses
several critical issues and offers potential benefits, it also
presents challenges and limitations that must be addressed.
There are concerns that the creation of an additional
federal regulatory structure, subject to federal funding
structures, may not be able to produce the desired results.
The creation of SROs offers a complementary solution
by harnessing the collective expertise and collaboration
of industry stakeholders, regulatory authorities and consumer
advocates. SROs could play a vital role in enhancing
regulatory effectiveness, promoting industry standards,
ensuring consumer protection, and shaping the
future of the pet care industry with the common goal of
safeguarding the wellbeing of pets and their owners.
PFP
August Konie is a principal at BSM Partners in food safety,
quality assurance and regulatory systems.
12 PET FOOD PROCESSING | May 2024 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
The bill proposes centralized federal
regulatory oversight by the FDA to replace
the current, inconsistent state-by-state
interpretations of ingredient and pet food
label approvals. The legislation calls for new
ingredient review and approval timelines for
the FDA, which would be overseen by the US
Congress.
As an advocate for the pet food industry,
the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has long lobbied
for a more modernized approach to pet food
regulation. PFI issued its support for the
proposed legislation.
" Dog and cat owners not only want to
ensure the same high-quality and safe 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 Dana Brooks,
president and chief executive officer of PFI.
" 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. "
Under the proposed system, label and
ingredient approvals would be assigned to the
FDA, while state departments of agriculture
and other state agencies would still oversee
quality inspections and product registrations.
The result would be a system for pet food
regulation that more closely mirrors that of
human food.
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