
On January 23, Congressman Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.) introduced the bipartisan Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform (PURR) Act of 2025 alongside Reps. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), Derek Schmidt (R-Kan.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.). The sponsors of this legislation said it is designed to set uniform standards for dog and cat pet food and pet food labels, allowing pet food makers to invest in products that deliver the best nutritional benefits to animals instead of being burdened with inconsistent and inefficient standards.
The pet food industry is a significant contributor to eastern Kansas’ economy, with manufacturers in the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor representing 61% of the total pet food sold in the U.S., noted Congressman Schmidt, whose district is home to multiple pet food manufacturing and processing plants.
“Outdated, overbearing and unnecessarily complicated regulations have stifled production and ingenuity across all American industries, including pet food,” said Congressman Schmidt. “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."
The PURR Act was first introduced by Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.) in February 2024 as the Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2024 and had 18 total cosponsors.
Centralized federal regulatory oversight
The proposed legislation would provide for centralized federal regulatory oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and eliminate inconsistent state interpretations and decisions impacting ingredient and pet food label approvals that adversely affect consumer access to safe and nutritious products. The legislation calls for clearly defined performance measures for the FDA, including new ingredient review and approval timelines, overseen by the U.S. Congress.
Congressman Schmidt said the PURR Act would eliminate the current confusing regulatory framework by setting up a federal preemption provision to establish the FDA as the primary authority in the regulation of pet food ingredients and labeling.
"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 said. "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.”
Pet food regulatory framework would mirror human food
Under the new legislation, state departments of agriculture and other state officials would still engage in quality inspections and product registrations, but label reviews would be streamlined under the FDA. 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 bowl," said Rep. Harder. "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 regulatory system governing the sale and marketing of pet food has not been updated for approximately 100 years and does not reflect the needs of today’s pet owners, noted Congress Womack.
“With nearly 66% of U.S. households owning a pet, it’s important that the owners receive the best quality food to keep their pet healthy,” said Congressman Womack. “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.”
Pet food industry take
The Pet Food Institute (PFI) is backing the reintroduction of the PURR Act. Under the proposed bill, the FDA would have regulatory authority over the labeling and ingredient review process for dog and cat food and treats, replacing the outdated and inconsistent state-by-state approach currently used for ingredient and label approval.
“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 PFI president and CEO Dana Brooks. “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.”
In addition to PFI, the PURR Act is supported by the Pet Food Association of Canada, Pet Industry Distributors Association, Pet Advocacy Network, American Pet Products Association, World Pet Association and Human Animal Bond Research Institute.
Austin Therrell, executive director of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), said they are disheartened by the re-introduction of the PURR Act of 2025. "This legislation would greatly reduce consumer protection and remove the ability of state level regulators to provide the oversight that U.S. pets and pet owners deserve," he told Petfood Industry. "We will continue to advocate for innovation within the pet food industry in a safe and responsible manner that does not compromise the wellbeing of those the industry serves."
American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) president and CEO Constance Cullman reiterated its stance from the introduction of the PURR Act in 2024.
"Last Congress, the AFIA board of directors took the position, after consultation with members, that the AFIA could support the bill if it applied to all of animal food, given AFIA’s membership spans the total animal food industry beyond just manufacturers of dog and cat food," Cullman explained to Petfood Industry. "Given the reintroduced bill only applies to dog and cat food, and amid recent changes within the regulatory landscape, we intend to review it again with our board leadership.”