Lowering Egg Prices Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2222
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-16T08:06:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Lowering Egg Prices Act of 2025" aims to exempt certain surplus eggs from strict food safety temperature regulations for shell eggs. This allows these eggs to be sold for processing into liquid egg products, potentially increasing egg supply and reducing prices for consumers.
Key Provisions
- Exemption from Current Regulations: Starting on the date of enactment, a specific rule (section 118.4(e) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or its successor) on temperature controls for shell eggs will not apply to surplus broiler hatching eggs. These are eggs intended for sale to egg breakers—facilities that break eggs to create liquid egg products for food manufacturers—under the Egg Products Inspection Act (a law overseeing egg safety and processing).
- Requirement for Revised Rule: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA) must issue an updated rule, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture (overseeing the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA). The new rule will permit holding these surplus eggs at temperatures suitable for hatching chicks while also allowing their sale to egg breakers.
- Definitions:
- Egg and egg product: As defined in the Egg Products Inspection Act, referring to eggs and processed forms like liquid eggs.
- Egg breaker: A commercial facility that breaks eggs from their shells and sells the liquid contents in bulk to food makers.
- Broiler hatching egg: An egg meant for incubating into baby chicks raised for meat production.
- Broiler hatchery: A facility where these eggs are incubated and hatched into chicks.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Removes the application of shell egg temperature restrictions (which require cooling to prevent bacterial growth like Salmonella) from surplus broiler hatching eggs, which are typically kept warmer for hatching purposes.
- Introduces a mandatory revision to federal regulations to balance hatching viability with processing needs, creating flexibility not present in current rules focused solely on shell eggs for direct consumption.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FDA and USDA will need to collaborate on new rulemaking, potentially streamlining oversight for egg processing while maintaining food safety standards. This could reduce administrative burdens on regulators dealing with surplus eggs.
- On Citizens: May increase the availability of affordable liquid egg products for food manufacturing, indirectly lowering prices for egg-containing goods like baked items or processed foods. Could help stabilize egg supply amid shortages.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic poultry and egg regulations without addressing trade or imports.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Poultry Industry: Broiler hatcheries benefit from selling surplus eggs (unusable for hatching) without regulatory hurdles, reducing waste.
- Food Processors: Egg breakers and manufacturers gain access to more eggs for liquid products, improving supply chains.
- Consumers: Potentially lower egg prices through increased market supply.
- Regulators: FDA and USDA must implement changes, affecting their enforcement priorities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Provides targeted regulatory relief under existing food safety laws (e.g., Egg Products Inspection Act), ensuring compliance with broader standards while avoiding conflicts with health protections. The 180-day rulemaking deadline promotes timely implementation without overriding judicial processes.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and agriculture under the Commerce Clause.
- Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives, it signals a focus on economic relief for agriculture and consumers amid inflation concerns, potentially appealing to rural and food industry interests without major controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (23)
Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Womack, Steve [R-AR-3], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Lowering Egg Prices Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (3 pages)