Apeel Reveal Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4737

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-09-17T13:37:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Apeel Reveal Act of 2025" aims to increase transparency for consumers by requiring the disclosure of specific coatings applied to fruits and vegetables that extend their shelf life. It targets coatings like those from Apeel Sciences to ensure buyers know if such treatments have been used.

Key Provisions

• Labeling Requirement: Fruits and vegetables treated with a "covered product coating" must include labeling that discloses this treatment. A covered product coating is defined as any substance directly applied to extend shelf life, explicitly including Apeel Sciences' products such as Edipeel and Organipeel.
• Guidance from HHS: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must issue guidance within 180 days of the bill's enactment to explain how to meet the labeling requirement.
• Effective Date: The new rule applies to any fruits or vegetables labeled on or after one year from the date of enactment, classifying non-compliant items as misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 403 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 343), which defines misbranded food, by adding a new subsection (z). This creates a specific misbranding standard for undisclosed shelf-life coatings on produce, where none existed before. Previously, the FD&C Act focused on general labeling for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition but did not mandate disclosure of post-harvest coatings like these.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under HHS, will need to develop and enforce new guidance, potentially increasing administrative workload for inspections and compliance checks.
• On Citizens (Consumers): Provides clearer information at the point of purchase, helping those with dietary preferences, allergies, or concerns about chemical treatments make informed choices, though it may slightly raise produce costs due to labeling expenses.
• On Businesses: Produce growers, packers, distributors, and retailers must update labeling processes, which could involve costs for redesign and compliance training. Companies like Apeel Sciences may see shifts in product adoption if disclosure affects consumer perception.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but imported fruits and vegetables could face U.S. compliance requirements, potentially affecting trade with countries using similar coatings.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Consumers: Gain transparency but may encounter higher prices for compliant produce.
• Produce Industry (Growers, Packers, Retailers): Must implement new labeling, facing compliance costs and potential supply chain adjustments.
• Coating Manufacturers (e.g., Apeel Sciences): Directly named in the bill, they could experience market changes based on how consumers view disclosed coatings.
• FDA and HHS: Responsible for guidance, enforcement, and monitoring to prevent misbranding violations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens food labeling enforcement under the FD&C Act, potentially leading to more litigation over misbranding if companies fail to comply. The explicit naming of Apeel products could invite challenges for being overly specific, though it fits within Congress's authority to regulate food safety and labeling.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with free speech or due process, as it regulates commercial labeling (protected but subject to reasonable government standards for consumer protection). It aligns with the Commerce Clause by addressing interstate food commerce.
• Political: Highlights growing public interest in food transparency and "natural" produce, possibly influencing future debates on agricultural treatments. The bill's focus on a specific company may spark discussions about targeted regulation versus broad industry standards.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Apeel Reveal Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (2 pages)