To provide the Food and Drug Administration needed authorities to carry out its regulatory mission with respect to human foods, to provide additional resources and authorities with respect to human foods research, and for other purposes.
- Sponsor
- Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 22, 2026
Bottom line
The bill seeks to modernize FDA's oversight of human foods, boost nutrition research, and significantly increase transparency regarding processed food ingredients, potentially impacting industry trade secrets.
What it actually does
This bill aims to enhance the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulatory and research capabilities concerning human foods. It establishes new advisory committees, a critical research grant program, and a center of excellence focused on nutrition science. Crucially, it expands recordkeeping requirements for processed food recipes and mandates the public disclosure of non-labeled ingredients by manufacturers, while also exempting FDA research from the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill is essential for strengthening public health by equipping the FDA with updated tools and resources to address complex challenges in food safety and nutrition. They emphasize the importance of increased transparency for consumers and the need for robust research into areas like ultra-processed foods and food biotechnology to inform better dietary choices and regulatory decisions.
Opponents contend
Opponents, particularly within the food manufacturing industry, would likely contend that the expanded recordkeeping and mandatory public disclosure of non-labeled ingredients infringe upon trade secrets and proprietary information. They might argue this could stifle innovation, create significant compliance burdens, and potentially harm the competitiveness of U.S. food producers.
The bill is concise and clearly structured, allowing an informed reader to quickly grasp its core provisions and implications.
Section 2
Sense of Congress on Funding Food Sector Innovation Projects
This section expresses a Sense of Congress that a 'Human Foods Innovation Account' should be established to fund various FDA activities related to human foods. These activities include critical research grants, a center of excellence, public-private partnerships, development of modernized standards for foods (including infant foods), nutrition innovation, strengthened dietary supplement authorities, biotechnology research, modernized regulatory tools for chemicals, enhanced risk assessment, and technical capacity.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this section signals congressional intent to prioritize and adequately fund critical FDA functions related to human foods, fostering innovation and improving public health outcomes.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against a Sense of Congress, though some might argue against the specific activities listed if they imply future mandates or spending without clear justification.
Tradeoffs
Balances the desire for innovation and enhanced regulatory capacity with the need for appropriate funding mechanisms.
Section 3
Advisory Committee on Human Foods
This section mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a permanent 'Advisory Committee on Human Foods.' This committee will advise the Commissioner of Food and Drugs on issues related to food science, nutrition, and food safety. Its members must include experts in nutrition, food safety, and representatives from consumer, producer, and health professional organizations.
Section 4
Critical Research Grant Program
This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the FDA Commissioner and NIH Director, to establish a competitive grant program for research in critical areas. These areas include food biotechnology, nutrition initiatives, infant and maternal nutrition, health impacts of ultra-processed foods and dietary supplements, safety of specialty foods like infant formula, and public understanding of nutrition sources. The program prioritizes collaborative projects.
Section 5
Human Foods Program and Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Center of Excellence
This section establishes a center of excellence within the FDA, jointly managed by the Deputy Commissioner of Human Foods and the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Its purpose is to improve nutrition science and its relation to medicine, coordinating programs where human foods and drug evaluation converge, such as weight loss medications, food allergy medications, the role of nutrition with pharmaceuticals, and 'food-as-medicine' programs.
Section 6
Paperwork Reduction Act Exemption for FDA Research
This section amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt the voluntary collection of information during FDA research from Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act). This exemption aims to streamline FDA's ability to conduct research without the often lengthy and burdensome approval process required by the PRA for information collection.
Section 7
Expanded Recordkeeping and Disclosure for Processed Food Recipes
This section amends Section 414(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand recordkeeping requirements for processed food recipes. It mandates that persons (excluding farms and restaurants) involved in manufacturing, processing, packing, distributing, receiving, holding, or importing processed foods must permit FDA access to and copying of all records related to the recipe and contents, including labeled and non-labeled ingredients, amounts, and authorizations. Furthermore, manufacturers (excluding farms and restaurants) must submit non-labeled ingredients (flavors, colors, spices, incidental additives) to the Commissioner, who is then required to publish this information on a website.
Section 8
Public-Private Partnership for Chemical Limits and Information Sharing
This section directs the FDA Commissioner to establish a public-private partnership with one or more non-governmental entities. This partnership will facilitate information sharing among industry, academia, and consumer groups regarding the composition, use, and long-term impacts of food packaging materials. It will also recommend appropriate limits for chemicals in food and food-contact substances to the Commissioner. The Commissioner must report annually to Congress on the partnership's work.
Mandates the Commissioner to publish a list of processed food articles and their non-labeled ingredients (flavors, colors, spices, incidental additives) on a public website.
Section 7(4)(B)
Why it matters:While a direct mandate, the detail of public publication could be overshadowed by the initial requirement for manufacturers to submit the information. It is a standard legislative structure for detailing a specific action following a general requirement.
Case for: Proponents argue this ensures maximum transparency for consumers, allowing them to understand the full composition of processed foods, which is crucial for health, dietary restrictions, and informed choice.
Case against: Opponents would argue this is the most damaging part of the provision for trade secrets, as it makes proprietary flavor and ingredient combinations publicly accessible, potentially undermining competitive advantage and innovation.
Estimated impact: High impact on consumer information and industry intellectual property.