Hamburger Safety Act of 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 16, 1997

Hamburger Safety Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit construing specified FDCA provisions to require on food labeling a separate radiation disclosure statement more prominent than the required declaration of ingredients. Requires approval of the Isomedix Corporation petition submitted on a specified date under FDCA provisions relating to regulations on food additive safety. Requires a commercial establishment serving prepared meat and poultry to make information available to patrons, in a manner deemed appropriate by the establishment, about whether the meat and poultry has been treated with low-dose radiation.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Ganske, Greg [R-IA-4] · R–IA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

24 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 22, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Sep 16, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Sep 16, 1997
Introduced in House
Sep 16, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Sep 16, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2480 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.2480, 105th Congress: Hamburger Safety Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2480

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2480/BILLS-105hr2480ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2480 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2480 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2480, 105th Congress: Hamburger Safety Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2480

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2480/BILLS-105hr2480ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2480 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2480 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2480, 105th Congress: Hamburger Safety Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2480

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2480/BILLS-105hr2480ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2480 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2480 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2480, 105th Congress: Hamburger Safety Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2480

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2480/BILLS-105hr2480ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2480 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.