HARRISBURG – To protect Pennsylvania families from food filled with hidden substances, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will soon introduce the Food Purity Protection Act.
The bill would ensure that Pennsylvania’s food remains pure, natural and free from any unauthorized or inadvertent inclusion of vaccines or vaccine-related substances.
“This is not just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a growing concern as scientific advancements blur the lines between medicine and agriculture,” Mastriano said. “While biotechnology has its place, our food supply should never become a testing ground for experimental medical interventions.”
In recent years, the agricultural sector has witnessed significant advancements, particularly in the development of mRNA vaccines for livestock. These innovations have raised concerns about the presence of vaccine components in the human food supply, Mastriano said.
The introduction of mRNA vaccines in livestock has led to legislative proposals in various states. For example, in 2023, Tennessee lawmakers considered bills to ban mRNA vaccines or require labeling of meat from animals treated with such vaccines. These proposals were driven by public concerns about the presence of vaccine components in the food supply, resulting in potential health injury, the senator said.
Across the country, concerns are also rising about genetically engineered crops and the possibility of pharmaceuticals making their way into our food supply, Mastriano noted. Some research is already exploring ways to modify plants to deliver vaccine components through food.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have stated that vaccines should not be a part of food products. Yet, as technology evolves, the risk of such practices increases, Mastriano said.
His bill is designed to protect the integrity of Pennsylvania’s food supply using a three-pronged approach. First, it would ban the inclusion of vaccines or vaccine-related substances in any food product – whether processed or unprocessed – intended for human or animal consumption.
Second, it would prohibit the sale, storage, production, transportation or distribution of any agricultural product containing vaccine components, including livestock feed and crops.
Finally, it would ensure transparency and consumer choice so that Pennsylvanians can be confident in the purity and safety of their food.
“We must defend food purity in Pennsylvania. Our state has long been known for its rich agricultural heritage and commitment to high-quality, natural food production. We must protect this legacy so future generations can trust the food they eat,” Mastriano said.
