House passes Friel bill to manage food processing residuals in Pennsylvania
Rep. Paul Friel October 6, 2025 | 4:06 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed H.B. 587 to establish a certification program for the haulers and brokers of food processing residue in the commonwealth, announced the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester.
Food processing residuals, also known as FPR, are the leftover product created by commercial food processing. Food processing residuals can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid-like cleaning fluid that includes blood, fat, hair and feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts and chemicals used to process them.
Along with H.B. 586, which would further guide the use of FPR, Friel’s legislation would help manage FPR responsibly in Pennsylvania. Surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of these residuals, making Pennsylvania a target for cheaply offloading the commercial product.
“These two bills offer a lasting legislative solution built through bipartisan cooperation and valuable input from the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, as well as local residents, farmers, conservation experts, and industry leaders,” Friel said. “It’s essential that FPR be managed responsibly to protect our food supply, enhance soil health, safeguard groundwater, and reduce odors and other impacts on our communities.”
The hauler broker certifications provided for in H.B. 587 would be in effect for three years and eligible for renewal if the hauler or broker has completed six credits of continuing education as approved by DEP.
The bill passed 196-7.