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119-hr-8385119th CongressWALLET

Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

Introduced

Summary

Clear front-of-package nutrition labels would be required on most packaged foods to show calories per serving and interpretive information for added sugars, sodium, saturated fat, and other key nutrients. The bill would also tighten nutrient and ingredient claims, add gluten-containing grains to major allergen rules, require a public database of labels, and force online sellers to show label information at the point of selection.

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  • Shoppers and families: Makes it easier to compare healthfulness at a glance and tells consumers when products do not provide a full serving of fruit, vegetables, or yogurt. Consumer education and monitoring are part of the plan.
  • Manufacturers and online sellers: Would require manufacturers or importers to submit full label information to FDA and keep it current. Knowing submission failures can trigger civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, and online violations can carry penalties up to $10,000 per violation and up to $1,000,000 per proceeding.
  • People with allergies and food-service operators: Treats wheat, rye, barley, and their hybrids like major allergens, requires allergen statements adjacent to ingredient lists and signage for nonpackaged foods, and adds gluten-containing grains to hazard-analysis and preventive controls.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Standard front-of-package nutrition labels

If enacted, many packaged foods (not dietary supplements) would have to show a standard nutrition symbol on the front. The symbol would show calories per serving and notes for added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat. The FDA would set readable ingredient-list and front-panel formatting rules and must run consumer education. Most of these label rules would take effect three years after enactment.

Public label database and online rules

If enacted, manufacturers and importers would have to send full label information to the FDA and keep it current. The FDA would create a public, searchable database of submitted labels. Online sellers would have to show nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information on the first product page before purchase. Knowing submission failures and online violations could trigger civil penalties (up to $10,000 per day for missing submissions and up to $10,000 per online violation, and up to $1,000,000 per proceeding). The FDA would have one-year and two-year rulemaking deadlines and the label rules generally would take effect three years after enactment.

Stricter rules for health claims

If enacted, the FDA would tighten rules about health and nutrient claims on foods (not dietary supplements). Makers would have to give any documents the FDA requests about a health claim within 90 days. The FDA would set rules for the words "natural" and "healthy," limit some nutrient-content claims, require prominent warnings when foods are high in disqualifying nutrients, and restrict some trans fat claims. The bill also allows some broader structure/function-type claims while requiring substantiation and updated rules within two years and effective changes in three years.

Gluten, allergen, and product standards

If enacted, gluten-containing grains (wheat, rye, barley and their hybrids) would be treated like major allergens for label and safety rules. Allergen and gluten info would be shown next to the ingredient list or on signs for nonpackaged foods in type no smaller than the ingredient list or food name. The FDA would review standards of identity and require minimum live cultures for yogurt and permit salt substitutes where appropriate. These rules would generally take effect three years after enactment, with some reviews due in two years.

Monitoring and warnings for sweeteners

If enacted, the FDA would report to Congress within two years on whether manufacturers have increased low- and no-calorie sweetener use and whether that use could harm health. The FDA would keep monitoring sweetener trends and would act if use rose to levels that could cause negative health effects. The FDA could also require front-panel declarations or warnings for certain sweeteners if thresholds are met.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/26/2026

  • Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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