This legislation aims to significantly strengthen and modernize nutrient information requirements on food labels under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, providing consumers with clearer, more accessible, and comprehensive information to support healthier dietary choices. A key provision introduces front-of-package (FOP) labeling , mandating an icon on the principal display panel to identify foods high in added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat, using "High in" labels. Foods containing non-nutritive sweeteners must also prominently state, "Contains non-nutritive sweeteners. Not recommended for children." These FOP requirements extend to foods marketed for infants and young children, necessitating the establishment of specific Daily Reference Values for these age groups. The bill mandates enhanced transparency for specific ingredient claims, requiring conspicuous disclosure of whole and refined grain percentages if terms like "whole wheat" are used. Similarly, products claiming to contain fruit or vegetables must declare the quantity and "nutrient-dense" form of these ingredients on the principal display panel. The presence of artificial dyes or added artificial/natural flavorings also requires prominent FOP disclosure, while nutrient content and health-related claims will have expanded scope and stricter substantiation requirements, including prominent disclosures for foods high in a claimed nutrient. To improve clarity, the Secretary must define and regulate terms like "non-ultraprocessed" and "natural," with the latter excluding artificial ingredients and requiring consumer surveys for its definition. Ingredient list formats will be standardized for better readability, and foods containing phosphorus must disclose its quantity. Specific substances within "natural flavor" or "spice" must be listed, potentially via a scannable QR code for complex formulations. Food allergen labeling is expanded to include gluten-containing grains , requiring their prominent declaration alongside major food allergens. Manufacturers and importers will be required to submit all label information, including FOP images and claims, to the Secretary, who will then establish a public, searchable database on the FDA website, with civil penalties for non-compliance. The bill also addresses specific food categories and sales channels, prohibiting non-infant formula beverages for children over 12 months from using "formula" terms and mandating descriptive names and disclaimers for toddler beverages. For foods sold online, all required label information must be easily accessible and prominent at the point of selection. Most new requirements will become applicable three years after the bill's enactment, following the development of detailed regulations.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Health
Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026
USA119th CongressS-5166| Senate
| Updated: 7/29/2026
This legislation aims to significantly strengthen and modernize nutrient information requirements on food labels under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, providing consumers with clearer, more accessible, and comprehensive information to support healthier dietary choices. A key provision introduces front-of-package (FOP) labeling , mandating an icon on the principal display panel to identify foods high in added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat, using "High in" labels. Foods containing non-nutritive sweeteners must also prominently state, "Contains non-nutritive sweeteners. Not recommended for children." These FOP requirements extend to foods marketed for infants and young children, necessitating the establishment of specific Daily Reference Values for these age groups. The bill mandates enhanced transparency for specific ingredient claims, requiring conspicuous disclosure of whole and refined grain percentages if terms like "whole wheat" are used. Similarly, products claiming to contain fruit or vegetables must declare the quantity and "nutrient-dense" form of these ingredients on the principal display panel. The presence of artificial dyes or added artificial/natural flavorings also requires prominent FOP disclosure, while nutrient content and health-related claims will have expanded scope and stricter substantiation requirements, including prominent disclosures for foods high in a claimed nutrient. To improve clarity, the Secretary must define and regulate terms like "non-ultraprocessed" and "natural," with the latter excluding artificial ingredients and requiring consumer surveys for its definition. Ingredient list formats will be standardized for better readability, and foods containing phosphorus must disclose its quantity. Specific substances within "natural flavor" or "spice" must be listed, potentially via a scannable QR code for complex formulations. Food allergen labeling is expanded to include gluten-containing grains , requiring their prominent declaration alongside major food allergens. Manufacturers and importers will be required to submit all label information, including FOP images and claims, to the Secretary, who will then establish a public, searchable database on the FDA website, with civil penalties for non-compliance. The bill also addresses specific food categories and sales channels, prohibiting non-infant formula beverages for children over 12 months from using "formula" terms and mandating descriptive names and disclaimers for toddler beverages. For foods sold online, all required label information must be easily accessible and prominent at the point of selection. Most new requirements will become applicable three years after the bill's enactment, following the development of detailed regulations.