Letter
RE: E&C Health Subcommittee Hearing: “Healthier America: Legislative Proposals on the Regulation and Oversight of Food.”
Dear Chairman Griffith and Ranking Member DeGette:
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) appreciates the opportunity to provide input ahead of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee hearing on food regulation and oversight. We are grateful for the Subcommittee’s leadership in examining policies that strengthen the safety, resilience, and efficiency of the U.S. food system and food supply.
NASDA represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. State departments of agriculture are co-regulators within the nation’s integrated food safety system, working in close partnership with federal agencies to conduct inspections, respond to foodborne illness outbreaks, and help ensure a safe, reliable food supply for all.
Data & Information Sharing: H.R. 8430, Federal and State Food Safety Information Sharing Act of 2026
NASDA supports H.R. 8430 and commends Rep. Rulli (R-OH) and Rep. Ross (D-NC) for their bipartisan leadership in reintroducing this legislation.
NASDA supports authorizing federal agencies to share critical information with state and local partners during outbreak investigations, recalls, and other food emergencies. An effective food safety system depends on real-time coordination across federal, state, and local partners. States conduct the majority of food safety inspections and are often the first to identify and respond to potential foodborne illness outbreaks. However, current limitations on FDA’s ability to share key information—particularly food product distribution data—can delay response efforts and increase risks to public health. State and local agencies played a critical role in verifying product removal and protecting consumers at the point of sale, including conducting effectiveness checks to ensure recalled products are removed from the marketplace. Without timely access to this information, products that pose a risk to consumers can remain on store shelves and in the
marketplace.
H.R. 8430 would remove these barriers, improve coordination, reduce duplicative burdens on industry, and ensure that frontline agencies have the information needed to act quickly, particularly during high-risk public health events and recalls.
NASDA urges swift consideration and passage of this legislation.
Federal Preemption
NASDA urges the Subcommittee to carefully consider and exercise caution when evaluating the role of federal preemption in food and ingredient safety policy. Overly broad or under-resourced preemption can unintentionally weaken the integrated food safety system and disrupt long-standing federal–state partnerships critical to food safety.
A strong national framework must be balanced with the ability of state and local agencies to respond to emerging risks and implement programs effectively.
NASDA encourages the Subcommittee to engage state departments of agriculture as co-regulators and key partners when evaluating any preemption proposals to ensure policies remain both consistent and responsive to public health and safety.
Food Waste – H.R. 4987, Food Date Labeling Act of 2025
NASDA supports H.R. 4987 and commends Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) for their bipartisan leadership in reintroducing this legislation.
Standardized, voluntary food date labeling is a practical step toward improving consumer understanding and reducing unnecessary food waste. This legislation would establish clear, uniform voluntary standards aligned with NASDA priorities to reduce food waste and strengthen the U.S. food system. It represents a practical, bipartisan opportunity to reduce food waste, lower costs for American households, and improve the efficiency of the U.S. food system, and we urge its timely consideration and passage.
NASDA is ready to work with you on these critical policies and to ensure the safety, resilience, and efficiency of the U.S. food system and food supply are strengthened.
Sincerely,
Ted McKinney
CEO
NASDA
CC: Rep. Brett Guthrie, Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Rep. Frank Pallone, Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee
