118 HR 4764 IH: HIVE Act U.S. House of Representatives 2023-07-20 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4764IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 20, 2023Mr. Armstrong (for himself and Mr. Lawler) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo establish a standard of identity for honey, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Honey Identification Verification and Enforcement Act or the HIVE Act.

2.

Standard of identity for honey

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall establish a standard of identity for honey in accordance with applicable United States Pharmacopeia standards under section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 341).

3.

Report to Congress on enforcement actions with respect to misbranded honey

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall submit a report to the Congress on enforcement actions taken under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) with respect to honey that is adulterated under section 402 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 342) and honey that is misbranded under section 403 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 343).

4.

Countries of origin listed in descending order of predominance

Section 203(h)(6) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(h)(6)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (A), by striking a comparable size, and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:a comparable size—(i)the 1 or more names of the 1 or more countries of origin of the lot or container of honey, listed in descending order of predominance and preceded by the words Product of or other words of similar meaning; (ii)if the country of origin is listed as the United States, a statement clarifying the de minimis allowance specified in subparagraph (C); and(iii)a certificate, mark, or statement indicating that the honey meets the standard of identity established under section 2 of the HIVE Act. ; and(2)by adding at the end the following: (C)

De minimis allowance

In the case of honey that lists, pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii), the United States as the country of origin of such honey, the producer of such honey shall not be in violation of the requirements of such subparagraph if 95 percent of such honey has a United States country of origin and contains not more than a de minimis amount (not to exceed 5 percent) of honey from any other country (or countries) of origin. .