H.R. 2558 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Apr 1, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySecures American food names in foreign markets
Ever wondered why American producers can't always call their products by familiar names when selling overseas? This bill tells the USDA and U.S. Trade Representative to work together to protect common food names—like basmati rice, parmesan cheese, and pale ale beer—so American companies can use them when exporting. They'd do this by negotiating trade agreements with other countries, and they'd report back to Congress twice a year on their progress.
How it affects you
If you work in agriculture, food processing, or beverage production and export goods, this could make it easier to sell your products internationally under the names customers recognize. For most everyday people, the main benefit would be indirect: it could help American food and drink producers compete better in foreign markets, which supports those industries here at home.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Apr 1, 2025)
Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields Act of 2025 or the SAFETY Act of 2025
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure foreign markets for goods using common names.
In general, the bill defines common name as a name that (1) is ordinarily or customarily used for an agricultural commodity or food product, (2) is typically placed on the packaging and product label of the agricultural commodity or food product, and (3) the use of which is consistent with standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The bill includes a list of names that will be considered common names for (1) food products (e.g., basmati, bratwurst, and parmesan); (2) wine, including grape varietal terms, grape variety designations, and non-varietal descriptors such as chateau and vintage; and (3) beer (e.g., bitter, pale ale, and hefeweizen).
Specifically, USDA must coordinate efforts with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to secure the right of U.S. agricultural producers, processors, and exporters to use common names for agricultural commodities or food products in foreign markets. Through the negotiation of bilateral, plurilateral, or multilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding, or exchanges of letters, USDA and the USTR must assure the current and future use of each common name in connection with U.S. agricultural commodities or food products.
USDA and the USTR must jointly brief Congress on these efforts on a semi-annual basis.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2558
A BILL
SAFETY Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD-At Large) · Introduced Apr 1, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 1, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”