# 2026-08826: FDA Ditches 'Gender' for 'Sex' in Food and Drug Regulations Overhaul

2026-08826, Modification of Certain Terminology in Title 21, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration published 2026-05-06, effective Submit either electronic or written comments on the proposed rule by July 6, 2026. (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08826
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-08826
- Title: Modification of Certain Terminology in Title 21
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Health and Human Services Department; Food and Drug Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 24380
- Published: 2026-05-06
- Effective: Submit either electronic or written comments on the proposed rule by July 6, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-07-06
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0910-AJ26
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FDA Ditches 'Gender' for 'Sex' in Food and Drug Regulations Overhaul

## Summary

The FDA wants to change some words in its rules by swapping out "gender" for "sex" or removing it altogether to follow a new government order. This affects anyone who reads or follows FDA rules, making the language clearer and more consistent. You can share your thoughts on these changes by July 6, 2026, and there’s no cost involved—just a chance to speak up!

## Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is issuing a proposed rule to modify certain terminology in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to comply with Executive Order (E.O.) 14168, "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," issued on January 20, 2025. Specifically, this proposed rule, if finalized, will remove the term "gender" wherever it appears and either replace it with the term "sex," or delete reference to gender, as applicable, along with other editorial changes to improve readability.

## Effects PRIA read

No economic effects identified for this document.

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## Sources
- [2026-08826 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08826/modification-of-certain-terminology-in-title-21)
- [2026-08826 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08826.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-08824, Special Local Regulation; East Passage, Narragansett Bay, Newport, RI](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08824)
- [Next: 2026-08902, Special Local Regulation; Neuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern, NC](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08902)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08826 (as of 2026-06-11).