Food regulation update March 2: The latest on MAHA and related developments

CHICAGO, March 2, 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 UPDATES 

Farm Bill Markup Postponed - The House Agriculture Committee's markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), initially scheduled for this week, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 3 at 5:00 PM ET due to severe winter weather impacting the East Coast. Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA-15) has released the bill text, a section-by-section overview, and a title-by-title summary. Once it passes the committee’s mark-up it then moves to the House floor for consideration with debate, amendments and final vote. The Senate is not required to take up the House bill but can develop its own. Bottomline, this proposed Farm Bill is far from being finalized. Notably, the proposed legislation out of the committee includes significant changes to the Dietary Guidelines process. Section 4308 of the House Farm Bill proposes major reforms to the development, scope, and governance of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).

Proposed Key Policy Changes:
Update Cycle Extended
Beginning with the 2030 edition, the DGA will be issued every 10 years instead of every five. Updates may occur sooner if new Dietary Reference Intake values emerge or significant scientific advancements warrant revisions. Congress must receive advance notice and justification for any early updates.

Elevated Scientific Standard
Future DGA must be grounded in significant scientific agreement using a formal evidence-based review process and continuously monitored research. They must address public health concerns, support nutritional adequacy, include guidance for individuals with diet-related chronic disease, and provide recommendations that are affordable and accessible.

Rulemaking Requirement
Development of the DGA will now follow federal rulemaking procedures, introducing greater transparency, public accountability, and structured oversight.

Independent Advisory Board
The Secretaries of HHS and USDA will establish an Independent Advisory Board with nutrition and food science expertise when updates are initiated. The Board must include 4 members with a maximum of 8 members with 4 of these members being appointed by the Secretaries and at least two being non-federal employees. Congressional appointments are optional with one member being appointed by the Senate Ag Committee, Senate HELP Committee, House Ag Committee and House Energy & Commerce Committee. The committee will identify key scientific questions to inform the scope of guideline review.

Defined Scope of Dietary Guidance
The Guidelines must focus strictly on diet and nutrition and are explicitly prohibited from addressing taxation, social welfare policy, federal feeding program purchasing, agricultural production practices, food labeling, or socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Evidence Review Framework
A formalized evidence-based review process will require evaluation of the full body of scientific evidence, standardized grading of research quality, and external peer review by non-government experts.

Transparency & Conflict of Interest Protections
Advisory Committee and Board members must disclose financial interests and report research funding and affiliations from the prior 10 years. Public disclosure will include financial summaries, professional affiliations, and conflict-of-interest management plans.

Interim Policy
The 2025 Dietary Guidelines remain in effect until the first Guidelines are issued under this new framework.

Overall, if the Dietary Guidelines and the process that is undertaken to develop these guidelines are important to your business now is the time to meet with respective members of Congress to advocate for your position.

House Legislation Would Restrict Certain SNAP Purchases
Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13) has introduced H.R.7580, a bill that seeks to prohibit the purchase of nutritionally deficient foods with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This measure would create national standards limiting eligible food items, reflecting similar initiatives pursued through recent state SNAP waiver programs. At this time, there are no additional cosponsors for the legislation.

MAHA

Executive Order: Glyphosate Deemed Essential for National Security - President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to guarantee supplies of elemental phosphorous and glyphosate-based herbicides, citing their importance to U.S. agriculture. The order highlights glyphosate's role in efficient food and feed production and its significance to the rural economy. Secretary Kennedy, once a critic, now supports the directive, which has received significant criticism from the grassroots MAHA followers.

Surgeon General Hearing – Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA.) questioned Casey Means, an entrepreneurial wellness influencer, who is the nominee by President Trump for Surgeon General and ally to MAHA, during the hearing held by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee on February 25th regarding her views on vaccines and their alleged association with increased autism rates. Vaccines was the major focus of the hearing along with her conflicts of interest through her business, and lack of medical credentials. However, she discussed the importance of the Dietary Guidelines and the impact of removing ultra-processed foods from the diet. HELP is comprised of 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats, so she needs all the Republicans to vote for her to advance her to the Senate floor for a vote.

FDA

Produce Regulatory Program - The FDA, in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), and state produce inspection programs, has announced the creation of new regulatory program standards for produce. The Produce Regulatory Program Standards (PRPS) establish a consistent foundation for government produce regulators, playing a pivotal role in enhancing an integrated food safety system that leverages the collaboration and resources of federal, state, local, and tribal entities to protect public health. Adoption of the PRPS is intended to:
• Strengthening the capacities of produce regulatory programs,
• Promote consistency and workforce training, supporting an Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS),
• Aid programs in developing risk-based inspection and sampling protocols, and
• Offer a mechanism for establishing a quality management system to monitor performance

 

USDA

Staffing Changes - Kailee Tkacz Buller, Agriculture Secretary Rollins’ chief of staff, left last week. Tate Bennett, previously principal deputy chief of staff and a former rural policy director at AFPI, has taken her place. Bennett also served as special assistant for agriculture, trade, and food assistance during President Trump’s first term. 

SNAP Restrictions Take Effect - This month, SNAP waivers for food restrictions began in three states: Idaho and Oklahoma on February 15, and Louisiana on February 18. To track approved SNAP waivers, check the USDA map for states, dates, and restriction summaries. USDA FNS will give each state a 90-day grace period before monitoring and enforcement begin.

STATES

Impact of Policies - Many Americans are concerned about affordability, and a recent study suggests that new state regulations inspired by MAHA—which impose ingredient bans and labeling rules in Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia—could raise grocery prices by 12%. These effects may also extend to nearby states.

The study conducted by the Policy Navigation Group with Americans for Ingredient Transparency releasing the study highlights that similar regulations elsewhere could replicate these price hikes. It estimates consumers in affected states will pay an additional $17.1 billion, and almost a million people in nearby states like Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico may also face higher costs.

Advocates call for a national standard to avoid a confusing patchwork of state laws. Kennedy has noted he has considered the idea; however, the MAHA grassroots movement has adamantly rejected federal preemption.