The SAFETY Act of 2025 protects the rights of U.S. producers to use common names for food products in foreign markets by directing the Secretary of Agriculture to negotiate agreements and consult with Congress.
Dusty Johnson
Representative
SD
The "Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields Act of 2025" aims to protect the use of common names for American agricultural products in foreign markets. It directs the Secretary to negotiate agreements that safeguard the ability of U.S. producers to use these names, like "American" or "Pilsener" when exporting their goods. The Act requires regular briefings to Congress on the progress of these negotiations, ensuring transparency and focus on preserving market access for American goods.
New Bill Aims to Protect 'Common Names' like Feta and Lager for U.S. Food Exports
This bill, called the SAFETY Act of 2025, steps into the global food fight over product names. It directs the U.S. government to push back against foreign restrictions that prevent American producers from using common terms like 'parmesan,' 'feta,' 'chateau,' or 'lager' on their labels when selling goods overseas. The goal is to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to formally define these 'common names' and task officials with securing the right for U.S. businesses to keep using them.
What's a "Common Name," Anyway?
The bill lays out what counts as a 'common name.' Think of terms you see all the time on packaging – like 'Asiago' for cheese or 'Pale Ale' for beer. It specifies that these are names ordinarily used for a food or agricultural product, referencing international standards from the Codex Alimentarius Commission (a body that sets food standards) as a guide. It even lists examples for cheese, wine, and beer. The Secretary of Agriculture can also look at dictionaries, product standards, and how names are used here and abroad to decide if a term qualifies. This definition is key because some countries argue certain names are geographically specific (like Champagne) and try to block others from using them.
Protecting the Label
The core action here is requiring the Secretary of Agriculture, working with the United States Trade Representative (USTR), to actively negotiate with other countries. The objective is clear: secure agreements that explicitly allow U.S. producers, processors, and exporters to use these common names in foreign markets without facing penalties or barriers. It’s essentially tasking the government with defending the ability of American businesses – from large breweries to small cheesemakers – to market their products using familiar terms that consumers recognize.
Keeping Congress in the Loop
To ensure this isn't just a 'set it and forget it' policy, the bill mandates semi-annual check-ins. The Secretary and USTR will have to brief relevant Congressional committees twice a year on their progress (or lack thereof) in these negotiations. This adds an accountability layer, making sure the effort to protect these names remains an ongoing priority. While the definition of 'common name' offers some guidance, how effectively these negotiations play out in practice will determine the real impact on American exporters trying to compete globally.