Bill · S. 5166· Senate(119-S-5166)
Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/29/2026
- Last activity
- 7/29/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026 aims to update the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by strengthening nutrient information on food labels. It introduces new front-of-package labeling requirements for high amounts of added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat. The bill also mandates stricter disclosure rules for ingredients like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. Additionally, it establishes new regulations for labeling caffeine content, food allergens, and gluten-containing grains. The Act seeks to modernize ingredient lists and regulate the use of terms such as "natural" and "ultraprocessed." Finally, it addresses labeling requirements for food sold online.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would children be better off under this?+8
It implements stricter labeling and marketing restrictions for products intended for infants and young children.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+7
It significantly increases transparency regarding nutrition, allergens, and ingredient authenticity.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill improves legibility and accessibility of food ingredient and allergen information.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
Food manufacturers face increased compliance costs and the risk of significant civil penalties.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
The bill imposes new labeling mandates and potential civil penalties that could create regulatory burdens for manufacturers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved nutritional transparency through front-of-package icons: Consumers will be able to easily identify foods containing high amounts of added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat through specific icons on the principal display panel (Section 2).
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Clearer warnings for children regarding sweeteners: The bill requires a specific statement for foods containing non-nutritive sweeteners, advising they are not recommended for children (Section 2).
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Enhanced clarity on grain and fruit content: Labels for products claiming to contain whole grains, fruit, or vegetables must now disclose the specific quantity and form of those ingredients to prevent misleading consumers (Section 2).
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Greater transparency regarding artificial ingredients: The bill requires that any food bearing artificial dyes or added artificial or natural flavorings must prominently state this on the principal display panel (Section 2).
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Improved accessibility of ingredient information: New requirements for font size, contrast, and format are intended to improve the readability of ingredient lists (Section 5).
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Better identification of allergens and gluten: The bill strengthens the requirements for labeling major food allergens and gluten-containing grains to assist those with dietary restrictions (Section 8 and Section 9).
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Increased access to nutritional data online: For food sold online, the bill ensures that detailed nutrition and ingredient information is easily accessible to consumers at the point of selection (Section 16).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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New labeling burdens for manufacturers: The bill introduces numerous requirements for front-of-package icons, specific term disclosures, and ingredient list formats which could impact how products are packaged and marketed (Section 2).
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Financial penalties for non-compliance: Manufacturers or importers who fail to submit required food label information to the Secretary could face civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each day the violation continues (Section 10).
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Strict restrictions on infant and toddler marketing: Regulations will prohibit certain beverages from being identified as "infant formula" and require specific descriptive terms and disclaimers for milk-based beverages intended for children (Section 14).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Business Owners-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7Improves Small Business Support-3
- 7/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey