Grassroots Advocates Band Together as Corporate Lobbyists Move to Block States From Protecting Food Safety

Farm Bill Provision Would Strip States of Authority While Federal Agencies Fail to Act on Drug Residues and Pathogens in Meat and Dairy

NEW YORK CITY (March 5, 2026)— A coalition of grassroots food safety, consumer protection, and environmental advocacy organizations is urging Congress to remove a controversial provision from the House Agriculture Committee’s draft Farm Bill, which advanced out of committee early Thursday morning in a 34-17 vote, that would prevent states from taking action to protect the public from drugs, pesticide residues, and pathogens in the nation's meat, poultry, and dairy supply.

The provision, Section 12006, would centralize authority at the federal level despite years of documented inaction by federal agencies while blocking states from addressing mounting concerns about drug residues, antibiotic resistance, and foodborne illness. A petition circulated by Compassion in World Farming, Friends of the Earth, and others demanding that Congress strip the provision has already garnered over 17,000 signatures, reflecting growing public outrage and concern.

This is a blatant power grab by Big Ag, Big Pharma, and Big Chemical, who know that states are finally holding them accountable,” said Allie Molinaro, Senior Public Policy Manager at Compassion in World Farming, which is leading the petition effort. “When federal regulators fail to act due to lack of resources, willpower, or both, states have both the right and the responsibility to protect public health. This provision would silence local communities and leave citizens defenseless against drugs and pathogens in our food supply.

Federal Inaction, Real Consequences

Federal agencies have repeatedly failed to address well-documented risks in the meat and dairy supply:

The FDA has taken no action to limit exposure to ractopamine, a growth-promoting drug used in most U.S. pork production, despite over a decade of formal petitions and findings that 1 in 5 pork products on store shelves contain residues.

Recent laboratory testing found multiple drug residues, including ractopamine, in meat served to U.S. military personnel.

The USDA failed to meet its commitment to reduce Salmonella illnesses from poultry by 25% by 2020, has made no progress toward its revised 2030 goal, and withdrew its proposal to limit Salmonella levels and classify it as an adulterant.

According to the FDA’s own data, antibiotic use in food-producing animals is increasing, while antibiotic-resistant infections and deaths in the U.S. have surged—up 40% and 50%, respectively, since 2013.1 Meanwhile, over 70% of all antibiotics are used in animal agriculture, often routinely, and nearly a quarter of harmful bacteria in retail meat samples are resistant to three or more antibiotic classes.

Even after finding antibiotic residues in 20% of cattle marketed as “No Antibiotics Ever” (NAE), the USDA has taken no meaningful steps to protect consumers in either the NAE or conventional markets.

Ractopamine has been banned or restricted in over 160 countries because it poses real risks to human health and animal welfare. Yet, the FDA continues to ignore petitions to ban this drug in U.S. meat production,” said Molly Armus, Animal Agriculture Policy Program Manager at Friends of the Earth. “Instead of correcting that failure, the Farm Bill would block states from stepping in to protect their residents. That is unacceptable. Congress should protect Americans' health, not Big Pharma and Big Ag’s profits.

States Lead, Industry Pushes Back

While federal agencies have lagged, states across the country have stepped up. Since 2023, 41 states have introduced more than 140 food safety bills, addressing food additives, packaging, heavy metals, and ultra-processed foods. Twenty of these bills have already become law.

That momentum has alarmed powerful interests. The provision would prevent states from restricting or banning the sale of products made with growth promoters, antibiotics, pesticide-treated feed, hormones, etc., requiring on-farm pathogen prevention practices, and a host of other policy interventions.

States have led efforts to address the risks posed by food and food contact chemicals – Congress must reject efforts to limit the power of states to protect consumers," said Geoff Horsfield, Legislative Director at Environmental Working Group. "For too long, the federal government has let chemical companies decide which food chemicals are safe to eat. States have taken action on a bipartisan basis to protect consumers, and that must be protected.

Call to Action

Advocates are calling on lawmakers to remove Section 12006 from the final Farm Bill and preserve states’ authority to protect their residents when federal agencies fail to act.

The petition can be viewed here.