Food regulation update June 15: The latest on MAHA and related developments

CHICAGO, June 15, 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.

FDA

UPF Definition

Speaking at the International Fresh Produce Association meeting this week, HHS Secretary Kennedy said the administration's definition of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is currently under White House review and could be finalized within the next few months. Kennedy indicated that the definition would serve as a foundation for future policy initiatives, including front-of-package (FOP) labeling. As he has previously noted in interviews, he described a potential traffic-light-style labeling system that could use green, yellow, and red indicators to help consumers quickly assess food choices. Kennedy also outlined a longer-term vision in which consumers could use apps linked to their medical records to receive personalized nutrition guidance while shopping. According to Kennedy, technology could eventually help individuals identify products that may be better suited to their specific health needs.

An important caveat: despite Kennedy's comments, the definition has not yet been submitted for formal interagency review, according to the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) website. This suggests there may still be additional steps before a final framework is released.

While details remain limited, rumors are swirling that FDA may issue UPF guidance rather than a regulatory definition. Some suggest the agency could focus more heavily on ingredient composition and safety considerations than on the degree of processing itself.

Food Dyes Timeline

At a recent Association of Food and Drug Officials leadership meeting, the FDA signaled a longer timeline for its food dye initiative. Acting Deputy Commissioner for Food Donald Prater said the agency has "secured commitments to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes from school foods by 2026 and from the broader food supply by 2027," describing the effort as "a generational change." This schedule extends the FDA's April 2025 goal of removing synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply by the end of 2026 and introduces a phased approach with interim milestones. The agency's webpage that tracks company commitments now also states that the phaseout will run through the end of 2027, confirming the revised timeline. Notably, this has not been broadly communicated by FDA.

MAHA

MAHA & Republican Primaries

The MAHA movement continues to demonstrate political momentum, with several MAHA-aligned candidates finding success in recent Republican primaries. Late last week in Iowa, MAHA Action-backed candidate Zach Lahn defeated Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra in the Republican primary. Lahn credited MAHA's endorsement as a key factor in his victory, with the group's political action committee investing heavily in voter outreach through text messaging and phone campaigns targeting Republican voters. Lahn is a regenerative farmer who made opposition to agrichemicals and general concern about Iowa's high rates of cancer a central campaign issue.

In addition, Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) advanced to a runoff in Louisiana's Senate race after campaigning on themes central to the MAHA movement, including chronic disease prevention. And in Ohio, former state Rep. Jay Edwards won a closely contested primary for state treasurer after emphasizing health freedom and "real science," earning endorsements from both the MAHA Institute and Vice President JD Vance.

For food and agriculture stakeholders, the results suggest that MAHA-related issues — including food policy, chronic disease, healthcare reform, and agricultural practices — continue to resonate with a segment of Republican voters. While tensions remain between some MAHA priorities and traditional agricultural interests, the movement's influence will continue to drive the momentum of MAHA bills at the state level.

MAHA Moms Frustration Grows

A growing group of influential "MAHA Moms" — grassroots activists and wellness-focused voters who helped build support for President Trump and Secretary Kennedy — are becoming increasingly frustrated with the pace of the administration's health and food policy agenda. According to Politico, many supporters expected rapid action on issues such as pesticides, food additives, environmental chemicals, and chronic disease prevention but believe progress has been slower than anticipated. "We thought we were getting a different administration that wanted to stand up to special interests, stand up to the pharmaceutical industry, stand up to the food companies, stand up to Big Ag, Big Chem. And that is not what we got. What we have right now is business as usual," said Vani Hari, also known as the "food babe" and a prominent MAHA influencer.

There are growing tensions between the MAHA movement's reform-oriented goals and the practical realities of policymaking, particularly at the federal level. While the administration has taken steps aligned with MAHA priorities, including scrutiny of food ingredients and chemical exposures, some activists are disappointed by decisions perceived as favorable to agricultural and industry interests, particularly around glyphosate and pesticide policy. Several MAHA advocates argue that campaign promises have yet to translate into meaningful regulatory change.

Most MAHA leaders still support Kennedy and view the administration as the best path for advancing their agenda. However, that support appears to be softening, and if frustration continues to build, some could shift toward a Democratic candidate in the next presidential election. Regardless, as nutrition and food issues gain bipartisan traction, companies should expect continued advocacy on ingredient transparency, pesticide use, food additives, ultra-processed foods, and chronic disease prevention as the movement pushes for stronger policy action ahead of the 2026 midterms and the presidential race.

FEDERAL

Budget

HHS House appropriators advanced their fiscal year 2027 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill, proposing an overall 4% reduction in discretionary funding for HHS while rejecting many of the deeper cuts sought by the Trump administration. Notably, the bill largely preserves funding for the NIH and maintains core FDA activities, including food safety and regulatory oversight. The proposal reflects congressional support for continued investment in research and public health programs despite broader spending restraint efforts. For the food industry, the measure signals continued funding for FDA's key food safety, inspection, and regulatory functions, while also advancing several MAHA priorities focused on nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and food-related health initiatives.

The House bill represents an opening position in the FY2027 appropriations process. Senate appropriators have yet to release their proposal, setting up negotiations later this year over funding levels for FDA, NIH, CDC, and other health agencies. The House's decision to shield much of NIH and FDA from more significant reductions could become a key point of debate in upcoming budget discussions.

SNA Congressional Briefing

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) recently hosted a congressional briefing, "80th Anniversary of the National School Lunch Act: Where We Are, Where We're Headed," bringing together policymakers, school nutrition professionals, and industry stakeholders to reflect on the program's legacy and discuss the future of school meals.

The briefing featured former USDA nutrition leaders Brandon Lipps and Stacy Dean, who offered perspectives spanning multiple administrations on the evolution of school meal programs and the policy decisions that will shape their future. While the discussion recognized the significant public health impact of school meals over the past 80 years, much of the conversation focused on the operational and financial challenges schools face in meeting increasingly complex nutrition expectations.

For food and beverage manufacturers serving the K-12 market, several themes emerged. School nutrition leaders emphasized concerns about rising food and labor costs, workforce shortages, aging kitchen infrastructure, and the need for additional equipment grants and federal funding. Speakers noted that schools continue to face significant implementation challenges as nutrition standards evolve, particularly when balancing nutrition requirements with student acceptance, product availability, and budget constraints.

The discussion also served as an early signal to industry as stakeholders await future USDA actions related to school meal nutrition standards, with a broad consensus that schools will require additional resources and financial support from Congress to successfully implement future requirements. Speakers agreed that school meals remain a cornerstone of child nutrition and food security efforts. With updated USDA school meal nutrition standards still on the horizon, stakeholders across the food industry have an opportunity to engage with policymakers, school nutrition operators, and trade associations to help shape practical solutions that support both public health objectives and successful implementation in schools.

Lobbying Efforts

Food manufacturers, agricultural groups, and trade associations are increasing engagement with the Trump administration and Congress as federal efforts to define and potentially regulate ultra-processed foods (UPF) continue to advance under HHS Secretary Kennedy. Industry stakeholders are closely monitoring discussions around several federal activities, including UPF and front-of-package labeling and ingredient safety, which could ultimately reshape how products are evaluated and positioned on the market. Meanwhile, during the 2025 legislative session, 15 states introduced bills that included a definition of "ultra-processed food," with two states, California and Arizona, enacting a UPF definition into law given there is no federal definition.

As highlighted in a recent PoliticoPro article, there are growing concerns within the food industry that an overly broad UPF definition could classify a wide range of foods as unhealthy based primarily on processing methods rather than nutritional value. In response, industry groups are working to ensure policymakers consider factors such as nutrient content, affordability, convenience, and food security when developing future policies.

Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) is emerging as a key congressional ally for food and agriculture stakeholders, advocating for a more measured approach to UPF policy. Cammack has raised concerns that simplistic classifications could create unintended consequences for consumers and manufacturers alike, while emphasizing the importance of science-based decision-making. Her involvement signals that debate over the federal UPF definition or guidance document is likely to intensify, a development with potentially significant implications for food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, retailers, and the broader food industry.

USDA

Food and Nutrition Administration

As part of the USDA reorganization plan, the Food and Nutrition Service and the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services mission area are now the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), which administers USDA's 16 nutrition assistance programs. The FNA Administrator reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and is responsible for overseeing the agency's $170 billion budget and setting the policy direction executed by approximately 1,100 employees across the country. FNA will retain a small national office headquarters in the D.C. area for leadership, congressional and policy coordination, and regulatory functions. The remainder of the agency, including program implementation and oversight and retailer operations and compliance, will be located in hubs across the country. For more information, visit FNA's new website.

Child Nutrition Industry Toolkit

The USDA announced a centralized webpage that provides resources for food industry partners who provide food products to organizations operating school meal programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program. The website allows for selection of resources by topic, including child nutrition labels, Product Formulation Statements, crediting, and more.

STATES

Texas AG Targets Industry

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into glyphosate residues in food products, issuing Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to major pesticide and food manufacturers, including Bayer and PepsiCo. The probe will examine potential health risks associated with glyphosate exposure and whether consumers, particularly parents, were misled by health-related marketing claims. According to Paxton's office, the investigation focuses in part on oat-based cereals, snack bars, cookies, and other products marketed to children. The AG alleges that some manufacturers may source oats from countries where glyphosate is used as a pre-harvest desiccant, a practice that can increase residue levels in finished foods. The investigation will also examine whether companies complied with Texas consumer protection laws.

In addition, the AG has launched an investigation into Celsius Holdings to determine whether the company markets its Alani Nu energy drinks to children and teenagers. The inquiry focuses on the brand's 200 mg caffeine content per can, youth-oriented branding, and the absence of age-related health warnings. The investigation will assess whether Celsius misled consumers about the safety of its products for minors, signaling increased scrutiny of energy drink marketing and caffeine levels among state regulators.

Finally, the AG has opened an investigation into protein powder manufacturers over concerns about potential heavy metal contamination, including lead and cadmium. The inquiry was prompted by third-party testing conducted by Consumer Reports and the Clean Label Project. The investigation will examine whether companies violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misrepresenting the safety or contents of their products. While no specific brands were named, the attorney general's office cited reports that identified protein powders with detectable levels of heavy metals.

NIH

Food Is Medicine

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified "Food Is Medicine" as a priority research topic, encouraging studies on how food-based interventions such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions may help prevent and manage chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, and mental health conditions.

Priority areas include clinical trials, implementation research, health economics, biomarker development, and evaluations of food access and health outcomes. While the announcement signals growing federal interest in the field, NIH emphasized that it does not include dedicated funding and that researchers must apply through existing NIH funding opportunities.

OTHER NEWS

Industry Response to UPF

In response to last week's National Press Club event hosted by the American Journal of Public Health along with the release of numerous manuscripts on UPF, the Consumer Brands Association (CBA) released the following statement: "America has one of the safest and most highly regulated food systems in the world. We welcome fact-based conversations about nutrition, but safety is not up for debate. As consumers continue to seek a diverse selection of foods and beverages, the makers of America's trusted household brands provide a wide variety of affordable products to choose from, along with access to the information consumers need to make informed choices. Companies adhere to the rigorous evidence-based safety standards and nutrition policy established by the FDA to deliver safe, affordable, and convenient products that consumers depend on every day."

A survey in the AJPH journal found that 77% of Americans support mandatory warning labels on UPFs and 87% want government safety testing of laboratory-made chemicals before they are used in food. CBA has also recently launched two websites aimed at answering consumer questions: Food Processing Facts and Truth About Ingredients.