Safe Sips Act of 2026

The Safe Sips Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the Secretary of the Treasury, through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, to establish a comprehensive color-coding system for the packaging of specific intoxicating drinks. This system requires a single, identifiable color at the dispensing point of the packaging, irrespective of the intoxicating substance, and must include non-color identifiers such as text, symbols, or tactile features to ensure accessibility for blind or colorblind consumers. The legislation applies to "covered drinks," which include those containing alcohol, THC, intoxicating cannabinoids, or Kratom-related substances.

Under this Act, manufacturers of covered drinks are required to implement the established color-coding system, while distributors and retailers must disseminate information about the system to consumers and ensure all sold drinks comply. A key provision prohibits the use of the designated color, or any substantially similar color, on the packaging of drinks that are not covered drinks. To enforce these requirements, the Secretary is directed to establish procedures for assessing civil penalties and a structure for determining fines for non-compliance. Furthermore, the Act includes a preemption clause, preventing state or tribal governments from enacting additional or more stringent regulations, and is set to apply to covered drinks manufactured, distributed, or sold four years after its enactment.