H.R. 4828 – Reading Mode

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 4828

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 18, 2018

Mr. Long (for himself, Mr. Kind, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Grothman, and Mr. Duffy) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define the term natural cheese.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions Act or the CURD Act.

Findings

Congress finds as follows:

(1)

There is a need to define the term natural cheese in order to maintain transparency and consistency for consumers so that they may differentiate natural cheese from process cheese.

(2)

The term natural cheese has been used within the cheese making industry for more than 50 years and is well established.

Definition of natural cheese

(a)

Definition

Section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(ss)

(1)

The term natural cheese means cheese that—

(A)

is produced from the milk of lactating animals or from other dairy ingredients; and

(B)

is produced in accordance with—

(i)

natural cheese standards of identity under part 133 or section 130.10 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations);

(ii)

natural cheese standards of identity under applicable State law, if any; or

(iii)

natural cheese practices that are not established in any law or regulation.

(2)

Such term does not include—

(A)

pasteurized process cheeses as defined in section 133.169, 133.170, or 133.171 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations);

(B)

pasteurized process cheese foods as defined in section 133.173 or 133.174 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations);

(C)

pasteurized cheese spreads as defined in section 133.175, 133.176, or 133.178 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations);

(D)

pasteurized process cheese spreads as defined in section 133.179 or 133.180 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations);

(E)

pasteurized blended cheeses as defined in section 133.167 or 133.168 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations);

(F)

any products comparable to any product described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (E); or

(G)

cold pack cheeses as defined in section 133.123, 133.124, or 133.125 title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), or any comparable products.

(b)

Labeling

Section 403 of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(z)

If its label or labeling includes the term natural cheese, unless the food meets the definition of natural cheese under section 201(ss), except that nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the use of the term natural, all-natural, or a similar claim or statement with respect to a food in a manner that is consistent with regulations, guidance, or policy statements issued by the Secretary.

(c)

National uniformity

Section 403A(a)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343–1(a)(2)) is amended by striking or 403(w) and inserting 403(w), or 403(z).