Tennessee House Bill HB1100

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Refer: 2/10/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 53, relative to food.

Summary

HB1100 would amend Tennessee law to treat food containing an antibiotic as a “drug” under Title 53 and to prohibit the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale of food containing an antibiotic, vaccine, or vaccine material unless the product label clearly and conspicuously discloses that presence. The bill is framed as a food-labeling and consumer-notification measure, but it also expands the legal definition of “drug” to include certain foods with antibiotics. The measure would apply to food producers, distributors, retailers, and others in the food supply chain by creating a labeling requirement for products containing antibiotics, vaccines, or vaccine material. It would also affect the interpretation and enforcement of Tennessee’s drug and food-related statutes by adding a new category of regulated product and by making undisclosed sale or distribution of such food unlawful. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

HB1100 would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 53 by adding food containing an antibiotic to the definition of “drug,” and it would create a new prohibition on the sale or distribution of food containing an antibiotic, vaccine, or vaccine material without conspicuous labeling. Although the bill also references Title 47, the operative changes are in the food/drug regulatory framework, potentially affecting manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and regulators responsible for labeling and product compliance.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be presented as a consumer disclosure and public-welfare measure rather than a controversial policy change, but the lack of legislative discussion makes the overall sentiment unclear.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the bill’s broad treatment of food containing antibiotics, vaccines, or vaccine material, especially the decision to classify food with antibiotics as a “drug.” That could raise questions about scope, regulatory overlap, and practical enforcement for food producers and sellers. Another possible issue is whether the labeling requirement is sufficiently clear and whether it could affect products or processes that use medically related substances in ways not commonly understood as drug-like.