Food regulation update April 13: The latest on MAHA and related developments

CHICAGO, April 13, 2026 — IFMA The Food Away from Home Association launched a new benefit for members: A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. The report is compiled and written by Dr. Joy Dubost, a renowned food scientist and registered dietitian with strong knowledge of what’s happening on the regulatory front.

 

FEDERAL

Proposed Budgets - The White House released its fiscal 2027 budget proposal, outlining a 19% reduction to the USDA and a 12% cut to NIH compared to the prior year. This is a proposal to Congress, not a binding document, but it does show the priorities and values for the Administration like defense spending while proposing large cuts to domestic spending, including research funding, public health infrastructure, nutrition assistance programs, and environmental protections. The plan includes significant cuts, such as reduced funding for research grants, international food aid programs like Food for Peace, and infrastructure support.

Stakeholder groups, including the National WIC Association raised concerns about the potential impact on nutrition assistance programs. They note that proposed changes could substantially reduce benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), particularly for fruits and vegetables. The White House budget proposal has drawn criticism from Democratic congressional leaders, setting the stage for debate as the budget moves through the legislative process.

At the same time, the budget for the Department of Health and Human Services proposes $111.1 billion in discretionary budget authority for FY 2027 which includes $1 billion for a new National Center for Chemicals and Toxins. The budget also includes $57 million to support and expand capabilities to safeguard the food supply and fulfill the FDA and MAHA public health mission. The budget invests an additional $50 million to “remove unsafe chemicals from foods, expand efforts to eliminate toxic contaminants from foods consumed by children, develop models to predict levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-producing animals, and close the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) loophole that allows chemicals with unknown safety data into the food supply. FDA will require clearer safety data for new ingredients, improve public transparency, and advance the transition from petroleum-based synthetic dyes to natural alternatives.”

MAHA

FDA

Human Foods Program Research Priorities - The FDA's Human Foods Program (HFP) has published its priority research, data, and methodological needs to support a more comprehensive understanding of factors contributing to health risks. These priorities aim to guide external researchers and inform future food safety and nutrition policy. The areas of focus include nutrition, human behavior, perceptions and attitudes, microbiological food safety, food chemical safety, dietary supplements, and innovation. HFP has assembled a list of key research objectives, data requirements, and methodological approaches which, if addressed, will enable the FDA to better identify and manage health risks associated with products regulated by HFP. This information is intended for researchers interested in advancing scientific knowledge relevant to improving the safety of the U.S. food supply. Additionally, the list may assist individuals preparing grant applications for agencies that fund food safety research.

FDA Postpones New Natural Color Additives Implementation - The FDA has pushed back the start date for expanding the use of spirulina extract and introducing beetroot red in foods for humans. Originally planned for February 6, this change comes after the agency received objections and requests for hearings.

Codex Public Meeting - The U.S. Codex Office will host a virtual public meeting to gather stakeholder input before the 49th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, set for May 11-15 in Ottawa, Ontario. Established in 1963, the Codex Alimentarius Commission develops food standards and guidelines to protect consumers and ensure fair food trade. U.S. officials will present draft positions and invite feedback from industry, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders on key agenda items. The meeting aims to provide background and collect input on draft U.S. positions ahead of the committee session. Written comments are also welcome before the meeting.

Supplement Modernization - Kyle Diamantas, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Program at the FDA discussed the FDA’s focus on dietary supplement modernization at a recent trade association meeting. Just recently FDA’s Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) held a public meeting inviting stakeholders to participate to discuss the evolving landscape of dietary supplement ingredients and how recent scientific and technological advances are shaping the industry.

FDA is signaling a renewed push to modernize oversight of dietary supplements. Agency leaders acknowledge that the supplement industry has evolved significantly since the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), while regulatory frameworks have lagged behind. As a result, the FDA is exploring new approaches to better align oversight with today’s marketplace, focusing on both safety and transparency, which is in line with the overall MAHA agenda.

A key area of focus is strengthening post-market oversight. Rather than relying primarily on pre-market controls, the agency is working to enhance its ability to monitor products once they are on the market. This includes refining systems for identifying safety concerns and taking action when necessary. At the same time, the FDA is looking to clarify requirements around New Dietary Ingredient Notifications, an area that has long created confusion for industry stakeholders.

The agency is also evaluating broader regulatory tools, including updates to the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) framework, to ensure ingredients used in supplements and foods meet modern safety expectations. Alongside this, officials are considering where regulatory flexibility may be appropriate—particularly in areas such as labeling—where requirements could potentially be streamlined without compromising consumer protection.

Another emerging priority is the advancement of alternative testing methods. In line with wider federal initiatives, the FDA is supporting efforts to reduce reliance on animal testing while maintaining rigorous safety standards through new scientific approaches.

These efforts come as states increasingly take action on food and ingredient safety, raising concerns about a fragmented regulatory landscape. FDA officials suggest that a more proactive and modernized federal approach could help create greater national consistency and reduce the need for state-by-state intervention. However, Diamantas acknowledged this national uniformity, and pre-emption would be handled by Congress. Overall, the FDA’s direction points to a more adaptive regulatory framework for dietary supplements—one that seeks to balance innovation and market growth with stronger oversight and clearer rules for industry.

STATES

Wisconsin Joins States Pursuing SNAP Waivers - Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed legislation directing the Department of Health Services to apply for a USDA waiver that would restrict the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing soft drinks and candy. The bill also mandates the creation of an electronic platform that utilizes UPC codes to accurately identify products eligible for the program.