Bill · H.R. 848· House(119-HR-848)
Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act
- Introduced
- 1/31/2025
- Last activity
- 1/31/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Sean Casten
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act" directs the EPA Administrator to create a voluntary program for food climate labeling. This program involves providing consumers with numerical data regarding total greenhouse gas emissions throughout a food's lifecycle. The Administrator will consult with the Secretary of Agriculture, the FTC, and industry stakeholders to develop the label's visual form and information. Participants may also make voluntary commitments to reduce emissions or report sustainability information. The Administrator is also required to establish a public database and a technical assistance advisory board. Finally, the bill includes provisions for consumer outreach and penalties for fraudulent use of the label.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill creates a publicly accessible database to provide transparency regarding food climate data and program objectives.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+4
The bill enhances consumer protection by providing transparent, verified data on the environmental impact of food products.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+3
The bill encourages the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through a voluntary labeling and commitment program.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Consumer Decision Making: The visual form of the label is intended to be useful to consumers at the point of sale to help them make food purchasing decisions (Section 2(c)(3)(A)).
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Access to Detailed Information: Consumers can use a QR code on the food packaging to access electronic information regarding greenhouse gas emissions and voluntary sustainability commitments (Section 2(c)(3)(F) and Section 2(c)(4)(C)).
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Transparency through Public Data: The Administrator will establish a publicly accessible database under an open license to provide consumers with easy access to program information and food-specific data (Section 2(e)).
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Support for Industry Participants: The establishment of a technical assistance advisory board will provide technical assistance to entities participating in or seeking to participate in the labeling program (Section 2(h)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Penalties for Misuse: Any person who violates the requirements of this act can be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation (Section 2(j)(1)).
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Legal Risks for Industry: In civil actions brought under this section, courts have the power to grant mandatory injunctions and other equitable relief (Section 2(j)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Carbon Emissions+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- 1/31/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California