zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Consumer Right to Know Food Labeling Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act to deem as misbranded a food or meat food product that contains any part of a cloned animal and does not bear a conspicuous label including a notice of that information. Requires individuals to maintain a verifiable recordkeeping audit trail that will permit verification of compliance with this Act. Deems as misbranded a food that bears a label indicating that it does not contain cloned product, unless the label is in accordance with applicable regulations that may not: (1) require such a label to include a statement indicating that the fact that a food does not contain such product has no bearing on the safety of the food for human consumption; and (2) prohibit such a label on the basis that, in the case of the type of food involved, there is no version of the food in commercial distribution that does contain such product. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of this Act. Exempts a person who establishes a guaranty, signed by the person residing in the United States from whom the food was received in good faith, that the food does not contain any cloned product. Allows a person to commence a civil action against a person who is alleged to have violated this Act or the applicable Secretary where a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty that is not discretionary is alleged. Deems as misbranded a food product that contains genetically-engineered salmon unless the food is so labeled.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Single Food Safety Agency Act of 2010 - Establishes the Food Safety Administration as an independent agency within the executive branch.  Requires the Administrator to: (1) administer and enforce food safety laws; (2) serve as a representative to international food safety bodies and discussions; and  (3) oversee federal food safety efforts.  Transfers all federal food safety duties to the Administration. Requires the Administrator to: (1)  administer a national food safety program to protect public health, and (2) ensure that persons who produce or process food comply with federal laws and regulations to prevent or minimize food safety hazards related to their products. Establishes civil penalties for violations of food safety laws.  Escalates civil and criminal penalties for knowingly violating food safety laws. Requires the President to submit a reorganization plan for the transfer of agencies, personnel, assets, and obligations to the Administration.

Date: 2010-12-17
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Imported Seafood Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) issue an order refusing admission into the United States of all imports of seafood or seafood products originating from a country or exporter which the Secretary determines do not meet food safety requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or which are not likely to meet food safety requirements of any other federal law; and (2) notify all U.S. ports of entry of such refusal within five days. Requires shipments denied admission to be clearly marked "Refused Entry by the United States Government." Requires the importer of such a rejected shipment headed for its country of origin to notify the appropriate authority of such country of the reasons admission was refused before the shipment may be released to the importer. Requires the importer of such a rejected shipment bound for a third party country to notify such country's appropriate authority about such refusal, and requires such authority to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it accepts such shipment, before the shipment may be released to the importer. Requires the shipment to be destroyed if such authority's notification of acceptance is not made within 45 days after it is notified of the rejection.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a traceability system for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food through which the Secretary can retrieve the history, use, and location of each article of food shipped in interstate commerce. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to require a person (other than a household consumer) who has reason to believe that any meat, poultry, egg, or egg product handled by such person is adulterated or misbranded to notify the Secretary of Agriculture of the identity and location of the article. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that the article is adulterated or misbranded and there is a reasonable probability that human consumption would present a threat to public health, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of the article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) refuse to provide, or to withdraw, inspections of an establishment for willful or repeated violations of the respective Act; (2) deny or suspend inspection in the public interest to protect the health or welfare of consumers or to ensure the effective performance of an official duty under the respective Act; and (3) assess civil penalties for violations. Amends the FFDCA to require a person (other than a household consumer or other individual who is an intended consumer) who has reason to believe that an article of food introduced into interstate commerce is adulterated or misbranded in a manner that, if consumed, may result in illness or injury to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that to be the case, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of such article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken. Allows the Secretary to assess penalties for prohibited acts.

Date: 2009-02-12
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Labeling Education and Nutrition Act of 2009 or the LEAN Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize a food service establishment to provide nutrition information for a food item by: (1) providing calories and nutrient information required for food intended for human consumption; (2) disclosing such information in written form; and (3) making such disclosure available upon request prior to purchase. Requires the labeling of a standard food item served or offered for sale in a food service establishment that is part of a chain that operates 20 or more establishments under the same trade name to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, prior to the point of purchase: (1) the number of calories on a menu board, on a sign meeting certain requirements, in the menu, or as part of or supplement to the menu; (2) specified nutrient information, in writing and upon request; (3) a statement directing the consumer to the availability of additional nutrient information; and (4) a statement providing suggested daily caloric intake, on a menu or menu board that does not list calories.Declares a person to have knowingly or willfully violated the requirements of this Act if the person: (1) purposefully fails to make a disclosure required by this Act; or (2) makes a disclosure with the intent to deceive.Provides that a reasonable basis determination of nutrition information shall be required only once per standard food item if certain requirements are met.Preempts state laws not identical to this Act.

Date: 2009-03-10
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2009 - Treats any food container that is composed, in whole or in part, of bisphenol A or that can release bisphenol A into food as a container that is composed of a poisonous or deleterious substance for purposes of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Bans the use of such containers. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to grant a waiver of such ban for one year (renewable for an additional year) under specified circumstances. Requires any product for which the Secretary grants a waiver to display a prominent warning on its label of the potential health effects associated with bisphenol A. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to periodically review substances listed in federal regulations and generally recognized as safe. Requires any such substances that are shown by new scientific evidence to cause reproductive or developmental toxicity in humans or animals to be banned or otherwise restricted. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require (currently, permits) a manufacturer or supplier of a food contact substance to notify the Secretary of the identity, intended use, and safety of any such substance and of determinations as to the health effects of such substance.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Health
Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to three years for possessing, shipping, transporting, purchasing, selling, delivering, or receiving any horse, horse flesh, or carcass with the intent that it be used for human consumption. Reduces the prison term to one year if the offense involves less than five horses or less than 2,000 pounds of horse flesh or carcass and the offender has no prior conviction for this offense.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
BPA-Free Kids Act of 2009 - Defines "children's food or beverage container" as any container, except a metal can, that is: (1) designed or intended to be filled with any liquid, food, or beverage primarily for consumption from that container by children three years old or younger; and (2) sold or distributed at retail without containing any liquid, food, or beverage. Requires that any children's food or beverage container that is composed in whole or in part of bisphenol A (BPA) be treated as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Grants the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) jurisdiction over, and authority to enforce, the provisions of this Act, notwithstanding: (1) specified provisions of various Acts; and (2) a specified memorandum of understanding between the CPSC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Requires suppliers and manufacturers to test for BPA plastic resins used in the manufacture and distribution of children's food and beverage containers to ensure that the plastic resins in children's food and beverage containers do not contain BPA. Requires suppliers to certify to manufacturers that plastic resins do not contain BPA. Imposes labeling and advertising requirements. Allows nonconflicting state and subdivision laws. Requires research to increase understanding of the health effects of BPA exposure in all age groups and in pregnant women.

Date: 2009-03-31
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Howard M. Metzenbaum Menu Education and Labeling Act or the Howard M. Metzenbaum MEAL Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require chain restaurants with 20 or more locations doing business under the same trade name to disclose: (1) in a statement adjacent to a standard menu item, the number of calories, grams of saturated plus trans fat, grams of carbohydrate, and milligrams of sodium in each such item; (2) other information designed to enable the public to understand the significance of the nutrition information provided in the context of a total daily diet; (3) that such nutrition information is available in writing at the point of ordering; and (4) the number of calories in food on a drive-through menu board, adjacent to each menu item. Exempts condiments, items placed on a table or counter for general use, daily specials, and temporary menu items. Requires restaurants that sell self-serve food and beverages, such as through a salad bar, buffet line, or cafeteria lines, to place a sign that lists the number of calories per serving adjacent to each food item or beverage offered. Requires vending machine operators who operate 20 or more vending machines to provide a conspicuous sign disclosing the number of calories contained in each article of food dispensed from such machines. Permits restaurants and vending machine operators to voluntarily provide, and states to require, additional nutritional information.

Date: 2009-05-14
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Health
Informed Health Care Decision Making Act - Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) to: (1) determine whether standardized, quantitative summaries of the benefits and risks of drugs in a tabular or drug facts box format would improve health care decisionmaking by clinicians, patients, and consumers; and (2) establish and update standards for comparative clinical effectiveness information in the labeling and advertising of drugs and devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Defines "comparative clinical effectiveness" as the clinical outcomes, effectiveness, safety, and clinical appropriateness of a drug or device in comparison to one or more drugs or devices approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat the same health condition in the same patient demographic subpopulation. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require information on comparative clinical effectiveness for drugs and devices in labeling and advertising.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Health
Food Safety Rapid Response Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen and expand foodborne illness surveillance systems to: (1) inform and evaluate efforts to prevent foodborne illness; and (2) enhance the identification and investigation of, and response to, foodborne illness outbreaks. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) enhance foodborne illness surveillance systems to improve the collection, analysis, reporting, and usefulness of data on foodborne illnesses; and (2) improve capacity for foodborne illness surveillance in states. Requires the Secretary to establish five regional Food Safety Centers of Excellence to serve as regional resources for state and local public health professionals in investigating and responding to foodborne illnesses.

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Health
Gulf Oyster Protection Act of 2009 - Prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or implement any requirement for the control of Vibrio vulnificus applicable to the post-harvest processing of oysters that is in addition to federal requirements applicable to such processing as of the date of enactment of this Act.

Date: 2009-11-05
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Health
Growing Safe Food Act of 2009 - Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for food safety training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance, with respect to foods under the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA), to: (1) farm owners and operators; (2) small food processors; and (3) small fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to farms that have, or are transitioning to, certified organic production.

Date: 2009-11-09
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Bottled Water Safety and Right to Know Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify and establish standards for contaminants in bottled water that are at least as protective as standards established by: (1) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for national primary drinking water; or (2) the World Health Organization, the European Union, or the state of California. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to states for the enforcement of standards adopted under this Act. Transfers all functions of the Secretary relating to inspections and enforcement concerning bottled water to the EPA if the Secretary fails to publish the final regulation concerning such standards within two years. Requires the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations that require each manufacturer of bottled water to submit reports on its water and display required information on bottle labels; (2) make such reports available to the public; (3) make certain additional information available to the public about the regulation of contaminants in bottled drinking water; (4) publish information regarding violations of bottled water regulations; and (5) establish a grant program to gather information on such violations. Prohibits a manufacturer of bottled water from failing to submit an annual report or to display the required information on bottle labels in accordance with this Act.

Date: 2009-12-08
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to deem a dietary supplement that is manufactured, packaged, held, distributed, labeled, or licensed by a dietary supplement facility that is not registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be adulterated. Requires annual registration of dietary supplement facilities. Revises provisions that deem a dietary supplement to be adulterated to remove a provision that would allow dietary supplements that contained only dietary ingredients which have been present in the food supply as an article used for food in a form in which the food has not been chemically altered. Requires any person submitting information to the Secretary on the safety of dietary ingredients to create and maintain a scientifically reasonable substantiation file relating to the claim that the dietary ingredient or dietary supplement will reasonably be expected to be safe. Requires a dietary supplement facility or retailer to obtain adequate written evidence from the previous responsible entity in the chain of commerce that registration and safety requirements have been met. Sets forth civil penalties for FFDCA violations related to dietary supplements. Allows fines of not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds derived from such dietary supplement. Requires reports to the Secretary on all non-serious adverse events associated with dietary supplements when used in the United States. Sets forth the Secretary's authority to order an immediate cease of distribution and to order a recall, after a hearing, of a dietary supplement.

Date: 2010-02-04
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Meat Safety and Accountability Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the Secretary to implement sampling protocols to enable Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel to rapidly trace potential adulteration and contamination of meat and meat food products by enteric foodborne pathogens to possible preceding adulteration and contamination sources, including preparation, packaging, and slaughtering establishments, to determine the original contamination source. Requires, if a meat or meat food product sample tests positive for enteric foodborne pathogen contamination, a trace to identify: (1) adulteration and contamination sites, including preparation, packaging, and slaughtering establishments; and (2) the original adulteration or contamination source. Requires, if a raw ground meat sample tests positive for enteric foodborne pathogen contamination at a preparation, packaging, or slaughtering establishment, subsequent daily sampling at the establishment and any supplying establishments for at least 15 consecutive days after the date on which the adulterated or contaminated sample is collected.

Date: 2010-03-24
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require monthly reporting to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) of items contained in the cold storage survey and the dairy products survey of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Exempts from reporting requirements a manufacturer or facility that stores less than an average of 10,000 pounds monthly on an annual basis.

Date: 2010-05-26
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to include in the definition of "adulterated" any carcass or part thereof, meat, or meat food product that is contaminated with enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) Shiga toxin-producing serotypes of Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Date: 2010-05-27
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Food Safety Enforcement Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for knowingly violating such Act with respect to food that is misbranded or adulterated.

Date: 2010-07-29
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Health
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act limit the somatic cell count in all dairy products sold, transported, or offered for sale or transport in interstate commerce to a maximum of 400,000 cells per milliliter of fluid milk, or equivalent, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Authorizes the Secretary to lower the maximum somatic cell count after consideration of any recommendations submitted by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require that the calculation of a herd average somatic cell count under this Act be made using a geometric, rather than an arithmetic, mean. Subjects any person that sells, transports, or offers for sale or transport in interstate commerce any dairy product in violation of this Act to a civil penalty.

Date: 2010-08-05
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Ensuring Greater Food Safety Act of 2010 - Requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA): (1) within 60 days after enactment of this Act, to establish a plan to ensure effective information sharing regarding the regulation and inspection of food products and facilities, including violations, in which the FDA and USDA share joint, overlapping or similar responsibility; and (2) within one year after enactment of this Act, to issue a joint report to Congress summarizing the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of this new information sharing arrangement. Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO), within six months after such joint report is issued, to report to Congress on whether any inefficiencies or other challenges remain regarding the sharing of information.

Date: 2010-09-23
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements. Directs the Secretary and other appropriate federal agencies to enter into agreements to strengthen interagency cooperation on seafood safety, labeling, and fraud, including regarding examining and testing seafood imports, inspections of foreign facilities, establishing a distribution chain tracking system, data sharing, and public outreach. Requires the Secretary, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and heads of other appropriate federal agencies to submit an annual report to Congress concerning the implementation of such agreements and the budget, personnel, and any additional authorities necessary to improve seafood safety and labeling and prevent seafood fraud. Directs the Secretary and the Chairman to submit to Congress a joint report on consumer protection activities, enforcement measures, and coordination efforts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Requires NOAA to report deceptive seafood marketing and fraud to the FTC. Directs the Secretary to increase the number of laboratories certified to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the number and capacity of laboratories operated by NOAA involved in testing and other activities under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), subject to exceptions, to: (1) refuse imports of seafood originating from certain countries or exporters; and (2) increase the percentage of seafood tested originating from such countries. Authorizes the Secretary to send inspectors to an originating country or exporter to assess seafood practices and processes and to provide technical assistance related to U.S. requirements. Requires the development and publication of an annual list of standardized names to identify seafood at the distribution, marketing, and consumer retail stages.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food to be misbranded if it contains genetically-engineered fish unless the food bears a label stating that fact.

Date: 2010-11-18
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem genetically-engineered fish to be unsafe under provisions related to new animal drugs and adulterated food.

Date: 2010-11-18
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act of 2010 - States that it is U.S. policy that all nonambulatory livestock in interstate and foreign commerce be immediately and humanely euthanized when such livestock become nonambulatory. Amends the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to promulgate regulations providing for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock by a covered entity, including a requirement that nonambulatory livestock be humanely euthanized. Requires an entity to: (1) humanely euthanize nonambulatory livestock (while not limiting the Secretary's ability to test nonambulatory livestock for disease, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy); and (2) not move nonambulatory livestock while such livestock is conscious, and ensure that such livestock remains unconscious until death. Prohibits an inspector at an establishment covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act to pass nonambulatory livestock, carcass, or carcass parts through inspection. Requires an inspector or other employee at such establishment to label such material as "inspected and condemned."

Date: 2010-12-03
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to deem as adulterated food that is: (1) produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied; (2) derived from poultry that were raised, or that consumed animal feed produced, on such land; and (3) derived from livestock that grazed, or consumed animal feed produced, on such land. Permits exceptions if: (1) the application of sewage sludge ended more than one year before producing food, raising poultry, producing animal feed, or grazing livestock; (2) the food labeling includes notice that the product was produced on such land; or (3) a sign providing such notice is posted in close proximity to the product for those foods generally offered for sale without labeling. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify the prohibition on the use of sewage sludge in organic food production under the National Organic Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Date: 2011-01-07
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food to be misbranded if it contains genetically-engineered fish unless the food bears a label stating that it contains genetically-engineered fish.

Date: 2011-02-08
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem genetically-engineered fish to be unsafe under provisions related to new animal drugs and adulterated food.

Date: 2011-02-08
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce from issuing any permit or in any other way authorizing commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), except in accordance with law enacted after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Trans Fat Truth in Labeling Act of 2011 - Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) to promulgate a final regulation revising federal nutrition labeling regulations to: (1) require the label of a food that has less than 0.5 grams and greater than 0.0 grams of trans fat per serving to contain an asterisk or other notation and a note that the food has a low trans fat content per serving, and (2) prohibit the label or labeling on such a food from indicating that the trans fat content per serving is zero.

Date: 2011-04-12
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Poison-Free Poultry Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem the arsenic compound known as roxarsone to be an unsafe food additive.

Date: 2011-04-12
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Prohibits any federal department, agency, or court from taking any action that would prohibit, interfere with, regulate, or otherwise restrict the interstate traffic of milk, or a milk product, that is unpasteurized and packaged for direct human consumption based on the determination that solely because the milk or milk product is unpasteurized, it is adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise in violation of federal law.

Date: 2011-05-11
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement Act of 2011 or the MAPLE Act - Prohibits knowingly and willfully introducing or delivering for introduction into interstate commerce a product that is labeled as maple syrup but that is not maple syrup, unless the product's label includes a clear identification of the product's true nature. Defines "maple syrup" to mean a liquid food: (1) that is derived by concentration and heat treatment of the sap of a species of tree in the genus Acer or by solution in water of maple sugar made from such sap, (2) that is not less than 66% by weight of soluble solids derived solely from such sap, and (3) the concentration of which may be adjusted by adding water.

Date: 2011-11-03
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to deem a food misbranded if it contains or was produced with a genetically engineered material unless its labeling contains statements meeting specified requirements. Requires the periodic testing of such foods transferred along a chain of distribution to assure accuracy of labels, subject to specified exceptions. Excludes, in all three Acts, food: (1) served in restaurants; or (2) prepared primarily in a retail establishment, ready for human consumption, but not offered for sale for immediate consumption in the establishment. Excludes, for purposes of the FFDCA, a medical food as defined in the Orphan Drug Act. Subjects violators to civil monetary penalties, exempting recipients who accept a guarantee of the absence of genetically engineered material in good faith or producers whose food inadvertently becomes contaminated by genetically engineered material. Authorizes citizen suits as specified.

Date: 2011-12-02
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Genetically Engineered Safety Act - Genetically Engineered Pharmaceutical and Industrial Crop Safety Act of 2011 - Prohibits: (1) a pharmaceutical crop or industrial crop from being grown, raised, or otherwise cultivated until the final regulations and tracking system required by this Act are in effect; and (2) cultivation of a pharmaceutical crop or industrial crop in an open air environment, or in a food commonly used for human food or domestic animal feed. Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a tracking system to regulate the growing, handling, transportation, and disposal of all pharmaceutical and industrial crops and their byproducts to prevent contamination. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties for violations of such provisions. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to report on alternative methods to produce pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals that may be conducted in controlled production facilities without the risk of contamination. Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to include genetically engineered food in the definition of "food additive." Sets forth requirements governing petitions to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for a regulation prescribing the conditions of safe use of a genetically engineered food additive, including information to be included in the petition and factors to be considered by the Secretary in making a decision. Authorizes civil actions against: (1) a person alleged to have violated FFDCA provisions regulating genetic food additives, and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for failure to perform a mandatory act or duty related to genetic food additives. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect a filing fee for petitions to: (1) defray costs related to such petitions, and (2) provide for research on the safety of genetic food additives. Authorizes an officer or employee conducting an inspection to order the detention of food if such person has reason to believe that such food violates the FFDCA. Requires all food retailers to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite recalls, embargoes, and seizures.

Date: 2011-12-02
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act - States that it is U.S. policy that all nonambulatory livestock in interstate and foreign commerce be immediately and humanely euthanized when such livestock become nonambulatory. Amends the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to promulgate regulations providing for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock by specified entities, including a requirement that nonambulatory livestock be humanely euthanized. Requires an entity to: (1) humanely euthanize nonambulatory livestock (while not limiting the Secretary's ability to test nonambulatory livestock for disease, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy), and (2) not move nonambulatory livestock unless required for a specific test for disease. Prohibits an inspector at an establishment covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act from passing through inspection any nonambulatory livestock, carcass, or carcass parts and requires an inspector at such establishment to label such material as "inspected and condemned."

Date: 2011-12-16
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit livestock packers from owning, controlling, or feeding livestock to such an extent that the producer no longer materially participates in the management of the operation, with exceptions for: (1) animals held for not more than seven days before slaughter; (2) certain cooperatives that own, control, or feed livestock and provide such livestock for slaughter; (3) packers that are not required to report price and quantity information on each reporting day; or (4) packers that own one livestock processing plant.

Date: 2012-03-28
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Repeals a provision of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 establishing an inspection and grading program for catfish and other species of farm-raised fish shellfish effective on the date of enactment of such Act.

Date: 2012-03-29
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Requiring Easy and Accurate Labeling of Beef Act or the REAL Beef Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require a package or other container of meat at the final point of sale that contains low-temperature rendered product (lean finely textured beef) to bear a label stating that it contains such product.

Date: 2012-03-30
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to require all persons, including producers, handlers, and certifying agents, required to report information to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) under such Act to maintain all contracts, agreements, receipts, and other records associated with the organic certification program for 5 years (10 years for a certifying agent). Authorizes investigative and enforcement actions for violations of such Act.

Date: 2012-06-19
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise the nutritional information that restaurants and retail food establishments must disclose. Requires the nutrient content disclosure statement on the menu or menu board to include: (1) the number of calories contained in the whole product; (2) the number of servings and number of calories per serving; or (3) the number of calories per the common unit division of the product, such as for a multi-serving item that is typically divided before presentation to the consumer. Permits such information to be provided by a remote-access menu, such as through the internet, for food establishments where the majority of orders are placed by customers who are off-premises at the time the order is placed. Defines “reasonable basis” for a restaurant or similar food establishment’s nutrient content disclosures to mean that the nutrient disclosure is within acceptable allowances for variation in nutrient content, which shall include allowances for variations in serving size, inadvertent human error in formulation of menu items, and variations in ingredients. Sets forth the methods a restaurant or similar food establishment may use to determine nutritional content for disclosure, including ranges, averages, individual labeling of flavors or components, or labeling of one preset standard build. Defines "preset standard build" as the finished version of a menu item most commonly ordered by consumers. Applies the nutritional disclosure requirements to retail food establishments that derive more than 50% of their total revenue from the sale of food.

Date: 2012-07-24
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Health
Safety And Fraud Enforcement for Seafood Act - Requires the Secretaries of Commerce and Health and Human Services (HHS) to execute a memorandum of understanding to improve interagency cooperation on seafood safety, building upon any prior agreement, including those under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Includes in such a memorandum processes concerning efficient use of inspection personnel, intergovernmental cooperation, use of data, monitoring of substances used in fish farming, and prescreening of imported seafood by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Establishes the following coordination requirements: (1) development of a process to expedite the importation of seafood from foreign countries and exporters that consistently adhere to the highest standards for seafood safety, (2) use of the national sea grant college program for outreach activities, and (3) collection of information to prevent seafood fraud. Defines "seafood fraud" as the mislabeling or misrepresentation of seafood in violation of this Act or other applicable federal laws and regulations. Provides standards for refusal of admission of imported seafood based upon findings of failure to meet controls of existing fishery product regulations, the use of treatments or feed containing substances not approved for use by U.S. aquaculturists, or a level of any substance above the maximum deemed safe for consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Provides procedures for import certifications and allowance of individual shipments in certain cases. Includes, in fishery management plan data required to be submitted in the course of fish processing, information that accompanies seafood (including by labeling) through final sale concerning market and species names, production method, catch or aquaculture area, and weight, number, or product transformation. Requires a public website to list exporters of seafood to the United States and track violations. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to increase the number of shipments inspected for seafood fraud, prevent the percentage of seafood shipments inspected from declining in a subsequent year, and ensure that inspections for fraud prevention also collect seafood safety information. Allows civil actions by states for seafood fraud violations. Requires the Secretaries to report to Congress biennially on seafood safety and seafood fraud prevention measures.

Date: 2012-07-25
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Reducing food-based Inorganic and Organic Compounds Exposure Act of 2012 or the RICE Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promulgate a final regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act establishing the minimum quantity of total arsenic contained in rice or a rice product that will cause the rice or rice product to be deemed to be adulterated under the Act. Requires the regulation to: (1) apply the minimum quantity to rice and rice products regardless of the origin of the arsenic, (2) include the establishment of tolerances, and (3) establish a standard for total arsenic based on the maximum achievable reduction in cancer risk and be at least as protective as the allowable level set for total arsenic in bottled water under the Act.

Date: 2012-09-21
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food to be misbranded if it contains genetically-engineered fish unless the food bears a label stating that fact.

Date: 2011-01-31
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Milk Quality Standards Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to limit the somatic cell count in all dairy products sold, transported, or offered for sale or transport in interstate commerce to a maximum of 400,000 cells per milliliter of fluid milk, or equivalent, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Authorizes the Secretary to lower the maximum somatic cell count after consideration of any recommendations submitted by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to require that the calculation of a herd average somatic cell count under this Act be made using a geometric, rather than an arithmetic, mean. Subjects any person that sells, transports, or offers for sale or transport in interstate commerce any dairy product in violation of this Act to a civil penalty.

Date: 2011-03-02
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Foodborne Illness Reduction Act of 2011 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), In the case of any Class I recall, to distribute to each retail grocery or other establishment that sells food directly to customers in the United States a summary notice containing product information about each food or food product subject to such recall. Defines "Class I recall' as a food recall classification that covers a health-hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of the food or food product being recalled will cause a serious, adverse health consequence or death. Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act to consider a poultry product adulterated if it is contaminated with Salmonella or Campylobacter. Amends the the Federal Meat Inspection Act to consider any carcass, part thereof, meat, or meat food product adulterated if it is contaminated with Salmonella, Toxoplasma gondii, or enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) Shiga toxin-producing serotypes of Escherichia coli (E. coli) Requires that specified slaughterhouses, processing establishments, and grinding facilities perform specified tests for the presence of E. coli in ground beef. Subjects imported trim, bench trim, and ground beef to the same testing requirements as domestic trim, bench trim, and ground beef. Requires domestic facilities to conduct secondary testing of such meat before processing into a final ground beef product. Requires the Secretary, through the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), to redesign FSIS E. coli sampling and verification programs.

Date: 2011-06-08
Topic: Agriculture (Food Inspection & Safety)
Subject: Agriculture and food