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HB 928

Food and Food Products - As introduced, prohibits the sale or offering for sale of any food that contains a live vaccine. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 53.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Towns

Tennessee bill prohibits selling food containing live vaccines, blocking potential edible vaccine products before any exist commercially.

Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 928

Legislative bill overview

HB 928 would prohibit the sale or offering for sale of any food products containing live vaccines in Tennessee. The bill amends state food and health code statutes to establish this restriction and enforcement mechanism.

Why is this important

This bill addresses emerging biotechnology practices where researchers are developing edible vaccines—foods engineered to contain live vaccine components. If such products reach commercialization, this legislation would block their market entry in Tennessee, potentially affecting food supply chains and limiting consumer access to novel vaccine delivery methods.

Potential points of contention

  • Scientific basis: The bill doesn't specify which live vaccines are prohibited or establish safety thresholds, despite no commercially available edible vaccines currently existing in U.S. food supply
  • Regulatory overlap: FDA already regulates food safety and vaccine approval; unclear whether state-level prohibition duplicates federal authority or creates enforcement conflicts
  • Agricultural innovation: Could restrict Tennessee-based biotech research and food science development, potentially affecting economic competitiveness in emerging agricultural biotechnology

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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