Overview

Title

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the regulation of zootechnical animal food substances.

ELI5 AI

The Innovative FEED Act of 2023 is about making rules for special ingredients in animal food that help animals digest better and stay healthier, but these ingredients are not food or medicine. It's like adding a secret helper to their food bowl that makes their tummies happy without giving them a meal or medicine.

Summary AI

The Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act of 2023, also known as the Innovative FEED Act of 2023, amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to address zootechnical animal food substances. Zootechnical animal food substances are defined as added ingredients in animal food or water aimed at affecting digestion, reducing harmful pathogens, or altering the gut microbiome without providing nutrition. The bill specifies that these substances are classified as food additives and outlines requirements for their approval and labeling, emphasizing they are not for disease treatment but may claim effects on animal structure or function.

Published

2023-12-07
Congress: 118
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2023-12-07
Package ID: BILLS-118hr6687ih

Keywords AI

innovative feed act of 2023 zootechnical animal food substances federal food, drug, and cosmetic act food additives animal gut microbiome animal food labeling regulation compliance animal digestion enhancement pathogen reduction in animals non-nutritive animal substances

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
1,356
Pages:
7
Sentences:
12

Language

Nouns: 360
Verbs: 102
Adjectives: 57
Adverbs: 8
Numbers: 42
Entities: 57

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.87
Average Sentence Length:
113.00
Token Entropy:
4.86
Readability (ARI):
56.58

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

H. R. 6687, known as the "Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act of 2023" or the "Innovative FEED Act of 2023," aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It specifically addresses the regulation of zootechnical animal food substances. Such substances are used in animal feed or water to improve digestive byproducts, reduce harmful pathogens, or modify an animal's bodily functions through its microbiome, without providing nutritive value. The bill classifies these substances as food additives rather than drugs and establishes guidelines for their regulation, labeling, and permissible claims.

Significant Issues

The bill's text raises several significant issues:

  1. Complex Definitions: The definition of "zootechnical animal food substance" is detailed and may be challenging for individuals without specialized knowledge to fully grasp. Simplifying or clarifying this definition could make it more user-friendly.

  2. Exclusion Criteria Clarity: The criteria excluding certain substances from being considered zootechnical animal food substances include specialized terms like hormones and ionophores. More straightforward language or examples may help demystify these terms for the general public.

  3. Reporting Requirements: The bill mandates comprehensive investigations and detailed reports for zootechnical substances. This could impose a heavy burden on manufacturers, possibly affecting compliance and innovation in animal food technologies.

  4. Regulatory Ambiguities: By distinguishing zootechnical substances from drugs, the bill may inadvertently create regulatory gray areas, especially for substances that could fit both categories, leading to potential enforcement challenges.

  5. Compliance Mechanisms: The bill sets conditions for the usage of zootechnical substances but lacks explicit compliance mechanisms or enforcement guidance, which might complicate the implementation process.

  6. Labeling and Enforcement: While the bill specifies labeling requirements, it does not outline enforcement methods or penalties for non-compliance, potentially hindering effective regulation and consumer protection.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Public Impact:

Broadly, the bill could enhance food safety by reducing harmful pathogens in animals intended for food, potentially translating to safer food products for consumers. Additionally, the clearer distinction between food additives and drugs might streamline regulatory processes and improve transparency.

Stakeholder Impact:

Positive Impact:

  • Animal Agriculture Sector: Farmers and animal food producers might benefit from the potential introduction of innovative substances that improve animal growth and food safety without being classified as drugs, which often require more stringent approvals.
  • Regulatory Bodies: Clarifying the regulatory status of zootechnical substances might aid regulatory bodies in enforcing relevant laws more effectively, leading to more focused oversight.

Negative Impact:

  • Manufacturers: The demanding reporting and compliance requirements could pose challenges for manufacturers, particularly smaller companies that may lack resources to meet these standards.
  • Consumer Advocacy Groups: Without detailed enforcement measures, there may be concerns about the effectiveness of the bill in ensuring consumer safety and maintaining high regulatory standards.

In summary, while H. R. 6687 presents opportunities for innovation and safety in the animal food sector, it also brings forth several issues regarding definition clarity, regulatory overlap, and enforcement that require careful consideration to achieve its intended goals effectively.

Issues

  • The definition of 'zootechnical animal food substance' in Section 2(b) is potentially confusing and complex, which could lead to misunderstandings or misapplications of the law. Simplification or additional clarification might be necessary to make it accessible to those affected by the regulation.

  • The exclusion criteria for 'zootechnical animal food substances' in Section 2(b)(2) might be unclear for individuals without specialized knowledge, which could lead to legal ambiguities and challenges in enforcement.

  • The detailed requirements for full reports of investigations in Section 2(c)(1)(B) related to zootechnical animal food substances might be perceived as burdensome for manufacturers, potentially affecting compliance, and could require further clarification.

  • The distinction between zootechnical animal food substances and drugs is not explicitly clear, as mentioned in Section 2(b)(3), which could lead to regulatory ambiguities and enforcement challenges, especially concerning substances with dual characteristics.

  • The amendment to Section 409 allows for conditions of use of zootechnical animal food substances, but does not explicitly address compliance mechanisms, which might lead to enforcement issues.

  • The requirement for labeling under Section 409(l) is mentioned without specifying enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance, which could lead to issues with ensuring proper labeling and consumer awareness.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of this act establishes its official name, which is the "Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act of 2023," also known as the "Innovative FEED Act of 2023".

2. Regulation of zootechnical animal food substances Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section outlines the regulation of "zootechnical animal food substances," which are substances added to animal food or water to impact digestion, reduce human-health pathogens, or alter animal body functions without being nutritive. It specifies that these substances are to be regulated as food additives, not as drugs, details the application requirements, labeling requirements, and conditions for their usage, and emphasizes that they cannot claim or imply to treat or prevent diseases in animals.