01/25/2026
Labeling and nutrition related plans
Color Additives: Remove petroleum-based dyes, introduce new dyes including from natural sources; publish draft guidance on when fruit- and vegetable-derived juices qualify as color additives
Food Additives: Rigorously review, and as appropriate, ban additives with safety concerns; reform current regulations to more effectively regulate safety of food substances and increase transparency about substances in food supply. Publish proposed regulation requiring submission of GRAS notices for all new substances
Infant Formula: Conduct a comprehensive review of the nutrient requirements for infant formula part of Operation Stork Speed. Infant Formula Safety (Operation Stork Speed); begin implementation of a plan for modernizing infant formula nutrient requirements based on analysis of scientific evidence, expert input, public recommendations received.
Front-of Package: Create a nutrition labeling program to help consumers quickly/easily identify healthier choices; FDA received tens of thousands of public comments eliciting widespread support but also varying opinions on content and design details.
Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs); continue collaborating with federal government partners on gathering information, data, research, analyzing comments to 2025 RFI to develop definition; design research agenda, begin studies to understand how and why UPFs harm people’s health, how certain food additives might affect metabolic health, role of maternal and infant dietary exposures on subsequent health outcomes.
New Dietary Ingredient (NDI): Increase transparency in regulatory decisions, enforcement activities; final guidance for industry on safety, identity information required
Caffeine: Highlight industry best practices for labeling added content in packaged foods, beverages for retail, restaurant
DGAs and "Healthy" Claim: assess whether changes to recently finalized revisions are necessary to align with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines; implement updated criteria including potential guidance identifying a ”healthy” claim symbol
Standards of Identity: revoke 52 now obsolete SOIs; complete interim final rule, two new final rules and publish proposed rules to continue elimination of outdated standards of identity
Added Sugar Reduction strategy: focus on encouraging industry to lower added sugar in foods; propose a defined nutrient-content claim for “low added sugar”; investigate ingredient and menu labeling requirements; explore potential strategies for sugar alternatives labeling that does not increase blood glucose; assess the use of low or no-calorie and non-nutritive alternative sweeteners
Sodium Reduction: issue formal evaluation of Phase I voluntary 2021 targets
Food Labeling for Online Grocery Shopping: draft guidance on food labeling for online grocery
Guidelines on Direct Marketing of Certain Foods to Children: with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explore development of industry guidelines other strategies to help limit direct marketing of unhealthy foods to children
Today, FDA’s Human Foods Program (HFP) released its top priorities for 2026, marking an important step forward in advancing our mission and the Make America Healthy Again agenda. https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-releases-2026-deliverables-human-foods-program
Additionally, HFP also published its proposed 2026 guidance agenda, highlighting impactful public health actions ahead to support transparency, food safety, and informed consumer nutrition choices.