A bill to provide clarification regarding the common or usual name for bison and compliance with section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and for other purposes.
Source: Congress.gov ·
335 words in original text
What This Bill Does
This bill clarifies which animals can be called "buffalo" on food labels. It amends federal food labeling rules to allow bison meat to be labeled as "buffalo" under certain conditions while restricting the use of "buffalo" for other types of animals.
Who It Affects
Food manufacturers and sellers who label and sell bison meat and related products.
Key Provisions
• Food containing animals from the genus Bubalus (a group of African and Asian water buffalo) cannot use the label "buffalo" unless the label specifically says "water buffalo" instead (Sec. 1)
• Bison bison bison (plains bison) and Bison bison athabascae (wood bison) can legally be called "buffalo" on food labels (Sec. 1)
What Changes
If this bill becomes law, food companies selling bison meat will be allowed to use the term "buffalo" on their labels. At the same time, companies selling meat from other buffalo species must use the term "water buffalo" instead of just "buffalo" to avoid confusion with bison.
Important Definitions
• Genus Bubalus: a scientific classification that includes water buffalo species found in Africa and Asia
• Plains bison: a type of North American bison (Bison bison bison)
• Wood bison: another type of North American bison (Bison bison athabascae)
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text
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