SAFETY Act of 2025

This bill aims to protect the use of everyday food and drink names in other countries, so U.S. makers can keep using terms like parmesan, basmati, bratwurst, grape variety names (and words like “chateau” and “vintage”), and beer styles like bitter, pale ale, and hefeweizen. It tells the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to work together and negotiate agreements or letters with other nations to secure these rights for American farmers, food producers, and exporters. Twice a year, they must brief Congress on progress.

The bill defines a “common name” as a name people ordinarily use for a food, that typically appears on labels, and that lines up with international food standards. It also adds a formal requirement for the agencies to coordinate these efforts and provide semiannual briefings to specific congressional committees.

Key points:

• Who is affected: U.S. farmers, food and beverage makers, and exporters who use common product names.
• What changes: USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative must negotiate with other countries to preserve the right to use common names abroad and report to Congress twice a year.
• Examples of names: parmesan, basmati, bratwurst; grape variety names and terms like “chateau” and “vintage”; beer styles like bitter, pale ale, and hefeweizen.