S.667 - Safer Shrimp Imports Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Safer Shrimp Imports Act aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to enhance the inspection of foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold shrimp intended for consumption in the United States. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish agreements with foreign governments to ensure their shrimp inspection systems are equivalent to that of the FDA. The Act also stipulates that shrimp from countries without such agreements or equivalent inspection systems will be denied entry into the U.S., and it requires annual reports to Congress on the implementation of these measures.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the safety of shrimp consumed in the United States by ensuring foreign facilities meet U.S. standards. It may also lead to trade disputes if foreign governments perceive the requirements as overly burdensome or discriminatory. Ultimately, the cost of shrimp may increase due to the added compliance measures.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced food safety for American consumers by reducing the risk of contaminated shrimp entering the market.
- Increased consumer confidence in the safety of imported shrimp.
- Potential for improved health outcomes related to foodborne illnesses.
- Encourages foreign countries to improve their food safety standards.
- Provides greater transparency through required reports to Congress.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs of imported shrimp due to compliance requirements, potentially impacting consumers.
- Possible trade tensions with countries that may not be able to meet the new standards.
- Increased administrative burden on the FDA to conduct inspections and negotiate agreements.
- Potential for delays in shrimp imports due to increased scrutiny.
- Could disproportionately affect smaller foreign shrimp producers.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution's implied power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3), as it directly impacts the import of goods into the United States. It also indirectly relates to the general welfare clause, as ensuring food safety contributes to the well-being of the population. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).