“Food insecure families often sacrifice their own food to feed their pets, leaving even less food for the family.”
-Houston Food Bank
On the advocate page of the Houston Food Bank, it mentions that it is working along with members of congress to introduce an amendment drafted by Congressman John Culberson (R-7) regarding food donations from animal food manufacturers.
Below is an excerpt taken from the Houston Food Bank advocate page describing the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act and it holding donations made by animal food manufacturer liable in case the feed happens to be defective.
Source: Houston Food Bank advocate page
Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act
The Houston Food Bank is working with members of Congress to introduce an amendment to Section 1791 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (Bill Emerson “Good Samaritan Act”). As currently worded, the Act discourages donations of excess animal feed by manufacturers since the legislation only explicitly removes liability for human food donations. This means that animal food manufacturers can be held civilly liable for any donation of feed that is defective in any way. Therefore, those manufacturers do not donate.
It is important to encourage the donation of animal food because food insecure families often sacrifice their own food to feed their pets, leaving even less food for the family. This simple amendment will allow pet food manufacturers to donate the thousands of pounds of excess animal feed that is currently being destroyed annually.
Congressman John Culberson (R-7) has drafted the amendment. However, the Houston Food Bank needs your help to get this amendment passed! Please call, write a letter or schedule a meeting with your member of Congress to let them know that you support Culberson’s amendment to the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act of the Child Nutrition Act of 1996 removing liability for animal food donations.
Letter outline for pet food donation amendment
