Introduced. Latest step, Feb 14, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It would change 3 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.
How this bill changes the law
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H.R. 1394 would change 3 sections of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as introduced in the House (Feb 14, 2025).
(ss)(1) The term natural cheese means cheese that is a ripened or unripened soft, semi-soft, or hard product, which may be coated, that is produced—(A) by—(i) coagulating wholly or partly the protein of milk, skimmed milk, partly skimmed milk, cream, whey cream, or buttermilk, or any combination of such ingredients, through the action of rennet or other suitable coagulating agents, and by partially draining the whey resulting from the coagulation, while respecting the principle that cheese-making results in a concentration of milk protein (in particular, the casein portion), and that consequently, the protein content of the cheese will be distinctly higher than the protein level of the blend of the above milk materials from which the cheese was made; or(ii) processing techniques involving coagulation of the protein of milk or products obtained from milk to produce an end-product with similar physical, chemical, and organoleptic characteristics as the product described in subclause (i); and(iii) including the addition of safe and suitable non-milk derived ingredients of the type permitted in the standards of identity described in clause (B) as natural cheese; or(B) in accordance with standards of identity under part 133 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), other than the standards described in subparagraph (2) or any future standards adopted by the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (2)(I).(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 clauses (A) through (E);(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);(H) grated American cheese food as defined in section 133.147 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations); or(I) any other product the Secretary may designate as a process cheese.(3) For purposes of this paragraph, the term milk has the meaning given such term in section 133.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations) and includes the lacteal secretions from animals other than cows.
The bill says: Section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321) is amended by adding at the end the following:
21 U.S.C. 343a new sectionadded (z)by H.R. 1394 Sec. 3(b)
(z) If its label or labeling includes the term natural cheese as a factual descriptor of a category of 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 or 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.
The bill says: Section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by adding at the end the following:
The bill says: 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(x)" and inserting "403(x), or 403(z)".
From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.
What it does
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Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions Act or the CURD Act
This bill establishes a statutory definition for natural cheese. Under the bill, natural cheese is defined as cheese (ripened or unripened soft, semi-soft, or hard) that is produced from animal milk or certain dairy ingredients and is produced in accordance with established cheese-making standards. The definition excludes pasteurized process cheeses, cheese foods, and cheese spreads.
A food that does not meet this definition is deemed misbranded and may not be sold if its label includes the term natural cheese as a factual descriptor of a category of cheese.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Feb 14, 2025).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
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Feb 14, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
Feb 14, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
Feb 14, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress