The Pet Food Institute (PFI) has announced support for the reintroduction of the Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act (PURR Act) aimed at modernising petfood regulations. The bill, H.R. 597, would give the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sole authority over petfood labelling and ingredient approval, replacing the current state-by-state system.
Introduced last week, on 21 January, by Representatives Steve Womack (R-Ark.), Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), the PURR Act aims to eliminate the current regulatory patchwork, providing a unified approach that could encourage innovation and speed up product development. The bill was first introduced in February 2024 by Representative Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.).
PFI president Dana Brooks emphasized that the current regulatory system is outdated and inconsistent. Steve Womack highlighted that nearly 66% of US households own pets, and the bill would help streamline regulations for petfood manufacturers. The PURR Act would grant the FDA sole authority over labelling and marketing, reducing the burden on manufacturers.
Under the bill, while state officials would still handle quality inspections, the FDA would be responsible for label reviews. PFI expects this centralised oversight to improve the safety and quality of petfood nationwide, bringing the regulatory framework closer to how human food is handled.
The reintroduction of the PURR Act comes amid recent regulatory changes in the petfood industry, including new pathways for animal food ingredients approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
