SAFETY Act of 2025
SAFETY Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# SAFETY Act of 2025 Summary **What It Does:** The SAFETY Act would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with trade officials to protect American farmers' and food producers' ability to use common food names on their products in foreign markets. The bill creates a formal list of names that count as "common names"—such as parmesan cheese, batwurst sausage, and specific beer styles like pale ale—that U.S. producers should be allowed to use internationally without restriction. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects American agricultural producers and food manufacturers who export products abroad. It could also indirectly affect U.S.
consumers by potentially increasing access to a wider variety of American food products in international markets. The bill requires coordination between USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative's office. **Key Provision:** The bill defines "common names" based on three criteria: names that are ordinarily used for a product, typically appear on product packaging, and comply with international food standards. It includes specific lists of protected names for food products, wines (including grape varieties), and beers. **Current Status:** HR 2558 is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields Act of 2025 or the SAFETY Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure foreign markets for goods using common names.In general, the bill defines common name as a name that (1) is ordinarily or customarily used for an agricultural commodity or food product, (2) is typically placed on the packaging and product label of the agricultural commodity or food product, and (3) the use of which is consistent with standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The bill includes a list of names that will be considered common names for (1) food products (e.g., basmati, bratwurst, and parmesan); (2) wine, including grape varietal terms, grape variety designations, and non-varietal descriptors such as chateau and vintage; and (3) beer (e.g., bitter, pale ale, and hefeweizen).Specifically, USDA must coordinate efforts with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to secure the right of U.S. agricultural producers, processors, and exporters to use common names for agricultural commodities or food products in foreign markets. Through the negotiation of bilateral, plurilateral, or multilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding, or exchanges of letters, USDA and the USTR must assure the current and future use of each common name in connection with U.S. agricultural commodities or food products.USDA and the USTR must jointly brief Congress on these efforts on a semi-annual basis.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.