Federal

Paws Off Act of 2023

Source: Congress.gov · 408 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill requires food makers to put warning labels on products that contain xylitol. The warning must explain that xylitol is toxic (poisonous) to dogs if they eat it. Foods without this warning label would be considered misbranded (incorrectly labeled or packaged).

Who It Affects

Food manufacturers that make products containing xylitol. The Secretary of Health and Human Services acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

Key Provisions

• Foods containing xylitol must display a label or labeling with a warning that specifies the toxic effects of xylitol for dogs if ingested, or they will be considered misbranded (Sec. 2(a)) • The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create an interim (temporary) rule within six months after the bill becomes law to put this requirement into effect (Sec. 2(b)(1)) • The Secretary must create a final rule within one year after the bill becomes law to establish the complete requirements (Sec. 2(b)(2))

What Changes

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act will be amended to require warning labels on foods containing xylitol that explain the dangers to dogs.

Important Definitions

The bill defines "Secretary" as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

Effective Date

Not specified in bill text

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 617 To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem foods con- taining xylitol as misbranded unless the label or labeling of such foods contains a warning specifying the toxic effects of xylitol for dogs if ingested, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 30, 2023 Mr. SCHWEIKERT (for himself, Mr. WALTZ, Mr. STANTON, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI, Ms. TITUS, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. FITZPATRICK, and Mr. SMUCKER) 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 deem foods containing xylitol as misbranded unless the label or labeling of such foods contains a warning speci- fying the toxic effects of xylitol for dogs if ingested, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Paws Off Act of 4 2023’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:46 Feb 15, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H617.IH H617 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 617 IH SEC. 2. XYLITOL LABEL AND LABELING REQUIREMENTS. 1 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 403 of the Federal Food, 2 Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by 3 adding at the end the following: 4 ‘‘(z) If it is a food that contains xylitol, unless the 5 label or labeling of such food contains a warning specifying 6 the toxic effects of xylitol for dogs if ingested.’’. 7 (b) RULEMAKING.— 8 (1) INTERIM RULE.—Not later than six months 9 after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec- 10 retary shall issue an interim final rule to carry out 11 the amendment made by subsection (a). 12 (2) FINAL RULE.—Not later than one year 13 after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec- 14 retary shall issue a final rule to carry out the 15 amendment made by subsection (a). 16 (c) SECRETARY DEFINED.—In this section, the term 17 ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Health and Human 18 Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and 19 Drugs. 20 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:46 Feb 15, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H617.IH H617 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB

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