HR-1394-119
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sponsored by Bryan Steil (R-WI)
What it does
This bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add a formal definition of "natural cheese," distinguishing it from process cheeses, cheese spreads, and similar products already defined in FDA regulations. It would require that any food labeled "natural cheese" meet this new definition and would make the labeling rule a matter of national uniformity, preempting differing state labeling requirements on this specific term.
Who benefits
Traditional cheese manufacturers who make products meeting the coagulation-based definition, who could market their products as "natural cheese" with clear legal backing. Dairy farmers supplying milk for traditional cheesemaking. Consumers seeking clearer distinctions between natural and processed cheese products. Trade associations representing cheesemakers who sought regulatory consistency.
Who is hurt
Manufacturers of processed cheese products, cheese analogs, or blended cheese products who may need to relabel or reformulate marketing to avoid using the "natural cheese" term. State regulators who currently set their own labeling standards for this term would lose authority to enforce differing rules. Smaller cheese producers may face compliance costs adapting labeling to the new federal standard.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that "natural cheese" has been used in the industry for over 50 years without a clear federal definition, creating consumer confusion between natural and processed cheese products. They contend that codifying the term into law, consistent with existing FDA standards of identity, would improve labeling transparency and give consumers reliable information to distinguish products, while giving manufacturers legal certainty about compliant labeling.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that federal preemption of state labeling authority on this term removes flexibility for states to respond to local consumer concerns or emerging cheese-making practices not anticipated by the federal definition. They contend the bill grants the FDA Secretary broad discretion to designate additional products as "process cheese" under subclause (2)(I), which could be used to reclassify products in ways that create new compliance burdens without direct congressional input.