American CANS Act

Bill Number

H.R. 914

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Last Updated

2025-07-11T08:06:06Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The American Consumer Awareness of National Source Act (H.R. 914), also known as the American CANS Act, aims to improve transparency for consumers by requiring clear country-of-origin labeling on canned agricultural products. It ensures that imported canned foods display where they come from in a more visible location, helping buyers make informed choices about the source of their food.

Key Provisions

• Labeling Requirement: For any agricultural product (such as fruits, vegetables, or other farm goods) packaged in a can, the country-of-origin marking must appear on the front label of the can or be stamped, embossed, or printed on the top of the can.
• Definition of Agricultural Product: Refers to items defined under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, which covers raw or processed farm commodities like produce or grains.
• Scope: Applies only to imported products, building on existing U.S. customs rules for marking imported goods.
• Effective Date: The new rule takes effect 18 months after the bill becomes law, giving businesses time to adjust.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 304(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, which already requires country-of-origin labels on imported goods to generally indicate the product's origin.
• Introduces a specific placement rule for canned agricultural items, which previously allowed more flexible labeling positions (e.g., on the side or bottom). This change mandates visibility on the front or top to make the information easier to see without opening the can.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Enhances consumer awareness and choice by making origin information more prominent, potentially influencing purchasing decisions related to food safety, quality, or support for U.S. products.
• On Government Agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will need to enforce the updated labeling during import inspections, which may require minor updates to training or procedures but no major new resources.
• On International Relations: Could slightly affect trade with countries exporting canned agricultural goods to the U.S., as exporters must comply with the visible labeling to avoid import delays or rejections; however, the change is narrow and unlikely to spark significant disputes.
• On Businesses: Importers, can manufacturers, and food packagers may face one-time costs to redesign labels or packaging, but the 18-month delay provides preparation time.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Consumers: Primary beneficiaries, gaining easier access to origin information for canned foods.
• Food Importers and Packers: Must update labeling practices for compliance, affecting companies dealing in imported canned agricultural products.
• Agricultural Producers and Exporters: Foreign farmers and suppliers (e.g., from countries like Mexico or China) exporting canned goods to the U.S. will need to adapt; U.S. producers may see indirect benefits from increased consumer preference for domestic items.
• Retailers: Supermarkets and stores selling canned goods will handle compliant products but face no direct changes.
• Government Entities: CBP for enforcement; the Department of Agriculture for related oversight on agricultural definitions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens existing import marking laws under the Tariff Act without creating new penalties; non-compliance could lead to standard CBP actions like refusing entry or fines, as already provided in the law.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it regulates commerce and labeling under Congress's authority over foreign trade (Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution); it promotes informed commerce without restricting free speech or imposing undue burdens.
• Political: Supports consumer protection and "buy American" sentiments, potentially appealing to voters concerned with food origins amid ongoing discussions about trade and supply chains; bipartisan introduction (by representatives from California and Wisconsin) suggests broad appeal in agricultural states.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

Cosponsors (11)

Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
• 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• American Consumer Awareness of National Source Act — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (2 pages)