WASHINGTON — The Pet Food Institute (PFI) announced its support for the reintroduction of the Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act (PURR Act) that would “modernize” and “streamline” the way pet food is regulated.
Under the proposed bill ̶ H.R.597 ̶ the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have regulatory authority over the labeling and ingredient review process for dog and cat food and treats, replacing the current state-by-state approach used for ingredient and label approval. According to PFI, the current approval process is “outdated and inconsistent.”
“Dog and cat owners not only want to ensure the same high-quality pet foods they trust to nourish their beloved dogs and cats but expect the products to reflect the latest in nutritional science and ingredient innovation,” said Dana Brooks, president and chief executive officer of PFI. “To continue delivering on that commitment, we are supporting federal legislation that would replace the current inefficient patchwork approach between states and the federal government with consistent national standards that are predictable, clearly defined, and encourage innovation and speed to market.”
The bipartisan legislation, called the PURR Act of 2025, was introduced on Jan. 21 by Representatives Steve Womack (R-Ark.), Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.). It was first introduced by Representative Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.) in February 2024 as the PURR Act of 2024 with 18 total co-sponsors.
“With nearly 66% of US households owning a pet, it’s important that the owners receive the best quality food to keep their pet healthy,” Womack said. “Unfortunately, pet food manufacturers are forced to deal with a nearly 100-year-old, costly and confusing dual regulatory system, making it difficult for them to invest in new and improved products. My legislation would cut red tape and streamline the system by granting sole authority to the FDA to regulate the labeling and marketing of pet food. By removing the current state-by-state regulatory patchwork and modernizing the system, pet food makers can provide nutritious food for our beloved pets.”
According to PFI, the proposed legislation would allow centralized federal regulatory oversight by the FDA and eliminate “inconsistent” state interpretations and decisions impacting ingredient and pet food label approvals. In order to improve consumers’ access to safe products, the legislation calls for clearly defined performance measures for the FDA, including new ingredient review and approval timelines, overseen by the US Congress.
“Outdated, overbearing and unnecessarily complicated regulations have stifled production and ingenuity across all American industries, including pet food,” Schmidt said. “The archaic regulations currently in place have meant pet food producers in Kansas and across the country spend more time worrying about meeting mismatched guidelines and less time innovating new products; fortunately, the PURR Act provides a solution.
“By instituting uniform, streamlined pet food standards, we’ll be empowering businesses to succeed while ensuring that American pet owners have access to quality and nutritious food for their pets,” he added. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues and look forward to helping move it through Congress and voting for it on the House floor.”
Under the new legislation, State Departments of Agriculture and other state officials would still participate in quality inspections and product registrations, but label reviews would be entirely under the FDA’s domain. According to PFI, the law would result in a modernized pet food regulatory framework more like how human foods are regulated. “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.”
The reintroduction of the PURR Act follows significant regulatory changes in the animal feed and pet food market. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recently approved a new regulatory pathway for animal food ingredients, following the expiration of its partnership with the FDA in October. Meanwhile, the FDA released its new interim process for Animal Food Ingredient Consultations, which offers a different path from AAFCO.
For more regulatory news affecting the pet food market, visit our Regulatory page.