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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
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HB 2334: food; mRNA prohibition; labeling
Sponsor: Representative Heap, LD 10
Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Overview
Prohibits the inclusion of a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine in any article of food offered for sale and outlines labeling requirements for articles of food.
History
mRNA is a macromolecule found in all living cells. Cells use RNA for many functions, including protein production. mRNA conveys protein-encoding information stored in the cell's DNA to the protein production machinery of the cell. Enzymes called RNA polymerases transcribe the DNA sequence into an mRNA sequence. Then, ribosomes produce specific proteins by linking amino acids in the order directed by the mRNA sequence, in a process referred to as translation. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines represent the first Food and Drug Administration-approved uses of mRNA-based technology (U.S. Congressional Research Service).
Produce means any harvested part of a fruit or vegetable that is consumed raw, including mushrooms, sprouts, tree nuts and herbs, and that is subject to federal produce safety rule requirements. Food grains and seeds of arable crops are not defined as produce (A.R.S. § 3-525).
Livestock means cattle, equine, sheep, goats and swine, except feral pigs.
Poultry means any domesticated bird, whether live or dead, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, ratites and squabs (A.R.S. § 3-1201).
Provisions
1. Prohibits any article of food offered for retail sale from including any article that has been implanted with or received a mRNA vaccine. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires the manufacturer, packager or retailer of each article of food offered for retail sale to place a label on the food product's packaging including:
a. the name of the country from which each article of the food product originated;
b. a listing of each country that has altered the food product; and
c. vaccination and medication information, for livestock and poultry. (Sec. 1)
3. Directs a producer or packager selling produce labeled as organic to include on the label the name of each spray and coating applied to the produce. (Sec. 1)
4. Instructs the retailer, for organic produce sold without a package, to provide signage for each type of produce that includes the name of each spray and coating applied. (Sec. 1)
5. Makes this legislation effective on January 1, 2027. (Sec. 2)
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9. Initials CW/RS HB 2334
10. 2/12/2026 Page 0 Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
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