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Bill

A 4164

Relates to safety and quality labels on certain foods and beverages

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Benedetto and 14 co-sponsors

A 4164 - Relates to Safety and Quality Labels on Certain Foods and Beverages OverviewBill Number: A 4164 Title: Relates to safety and quality labels on certain foods and beverages

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
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Bill Summary · A 4164

A 4164 - Relates to Safety and Quality Labels on Certain Foods and Beverages

Overview

Bill Number: A 4164
Title: Relates to safety and quality labels on certain foods and beverages
Status: REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
Introduced: April 08, 2024

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to establish mandatory safety and quality labeling requirements for certain food and beverage products sold in the state. The legislation aims to provide consumers with clear, standardized information to make more informed purchasing decisions and promote transparency in the food industry.

Key Provisions

  • Requires all packaged food and beverage products to display a "safety and quality" label that meets specific design and content criteria set by a new state Food Labeling Commission
  • Mandates that the label include information on:
    • Nutritional value and ingredients
    • Presence of common allergens
    • Whether the product contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
    • Any significant safety or quality issues identified by regulators
  • Empowers the Food Labeling Commission to develop and update labeling standards based on scientific evidence and consumer research
  • Prohibits the sale of any covered products that do not display the required safety and quality label
  • Establishes fines and other penalties for manufacturers or retailers who fail to comply with the labeling mandate

Affected Parties and Impacts

This bill would impact all food and beverage companies that sell products within the state, requiring them to redesign packaging and implement new labeling processes. Consumers would benefit from having access to more comprehensive and standardized information to guide their purchasing decisions.

The legislation could also have broader impacts on the food industry, potentially spurring reformulation of products to meet new labeling requirements or shifting consumer preferences towards items with more favorable safety and quality ratings.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

A 4164 has been referred to the state Assembly Committee on Agriculture, where it will undergo further review and potential amendments before being considered by the full legislative body. If passed by the Assembly, the bill would then move to the state Senate for consideration.

The proposed effective date for the new labeling mandate is January 1, 2026, giving food and beverage companies approximately 18 months to prepare for compliance. The Food Labeling Commission would be required to establish the initial labeling standards within 12 months of the bill's enactment.

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

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