U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack says streamlining labeling requirements for food goods could simplify shopping and cut grocery bills.

The Gainesville Republican presented a discussion draft of her FDA Review and Evaluation for Safe, Healthy (FRESH) and Affordable Foods Act during a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Cammack’s bill would update the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, setting a national standard on ingredient transparency with foods.

“A strong, unified national framework protects consumers, keeps healthy foods affordable, and gives industry clear, predictable standards to operate under, and that, in my mind, is a win for everyone,” Cammack said.

“This also includes very important steps forward on infant and toddler food safety contaminant testing and national consistency, so that every American, regardless of ZIP code, can have confidence in the safety of what is on the store shelves.”

She hopes when she files final language on the bill, it will eliminate problems that arise when competing state laws burden industry and raise the price of costs of groceries nationwide. Indeed, Americans for Ingredient Transparency released a study in February showing new labeling laws in Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia, all slightly different in substance, could result in a 12% increase in annual grocery costs nationwide.

Still, the proposal has drawn some sharp dissent. After Cammack put out draft legislation in April, the Washington-based Environmental Working Group labeled it “rotten to the core” for preempting state food chemical laws and legalizing the use of some food products identified as carcinogens.

“Blocking state action and further weakening FDA review of chemicals is the food industry’s dream come true: no state regulation, no federal regulation, no problem,” said Melanie Benesh, the Environmental Working Group’s Vice President for Government Affairs.

And Consumer Reports urged Congress to reject the proposal. “By blocking important state food safety laws and further weakening FDA oversight, this bill would represent a significant step backward for our food oversight system,” said Brian Ronholm, Consumer Reports Director of Food Policy.

But pro-business groups said the policy proposal would create needed consistency in regulations. The Job Creators Network supported a national standard, which it said would achieve the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda cited by many state Legislatures enacting competing rules across the country.

“State-specific food labeling regulations — as opposed to a clear, consistent nationwide framework — are well-intentioned but will have an outsized negative impact on small businesses,” said Alfredo Ortiz, Job Creators Network CEO.

“Small businesses operate on razor thin budget margins and often don’t have the extra resources to comply with costly government mandates. It means fewer jobs, less economic opportunity and anemic growth.”

The MAHA message has been a pillar of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s agenda in enforcing federal standards and adjusting nutritional guidelines from the administration.

Steven Mandernach, Executive Director of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, testified at the hearing that Cammack’s proposal represented a “very good beginning of the discussion.”

The legislation notably contains strong regulations on ingredients that aren’t currently enforced nationwide. For example, it would impose mandatory heavy metal testing in baby formula, placing limits on “lead, cadmium, and arsenic.”

“As a new mom, I will tell you very plainly, I look at labels, I research ingredients, and I think about what I’m putting in front of my daughter,” Cammack said.

“Moms and dads, we should not have to be professional detectives when it comes to finding healthy and safe foods for our families, and I think most American families, if not all, would agree. We want food that is safe, transparent, and affordable and that is exactly what this bill is aiming to deliver on.”

The legislation also seeks to modernize the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “Generally recognized as Safe” notification process.

Joe Colalillo, President of New Jersey-based ShopRite, testified at the Energy and Commerce Committee that the legislation could deliver critical consistency to the food distribution industry.

“A single national science-based framework ensures that food moves safely, efficiently, and affordably every day, especially when it matters most. In closing, grocers are on the front lines every day, keeping food safe, affordable, and accessible,” Colalillo said.

“That responsibility depends on a strong federal framework, an efficient national supply chain, and clear and consistent rules. We urge you to support legislation like the FRESH and Affordable Foods Act that allows and requires FDA to develop and implement a single national standard that protects consumers, strengthens the food system, and preserves affordability.”

The Republican proposal looks to address affordability while tackling health concerns of an increasingly broad continuum of constituents.

But Cammack said she wants the bill to earn bipartisan support and address concerns from all Americans.

“This bill is about consistency, and right now, we know that there is a patchwork of states that are stepping up to fill in the gaps where, honestly, the federal government has fallen short,” Cammack said.

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