Harder rolls out bipartisan bill to reducing costly red tape in pet food industry

Congressman Josh Harder Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation to cut costly red tape and streamline standards in the pet food industry.

The Tracy Democrat’s 9th District includes pet food manufacturers such as Diamond in Ripon that also has a facility in Lathrop.

Diamond makes a number of brands include Nutra Nuggets.

The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform (PURR) Act — co-authored with Rep. Steve Womack (D-Arkansas) — creates a single, streamlined federal standard for pet food nutrition and labeling, replacing the confusing patchwork of state-by-state regulations.

Pet food manufacturers currently operate under a two-tier, century-old regulatory system that was developed for animal feed, which is costly, confusing, and curbs product innovation. 

The PURR Act cuts through the state-by-state regulatory patchwork by establishing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the primary authority in the regulation of pet food ingredients and labeling.

 This ensures uniform standards for pet food, allowing manufacturers to invest in research and high-quality nutrition while delivering peace of mind for pet owners.

“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,” Harder said.

“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 It’s good for our pets and good for businesses trying to navigate outdated red tape.”