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119-s-5026119th CongressWALLET

Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

In Committee

Summary

Would require front-of-package health warnings for four product groups: sugar-sweetened beverages, products with high-intensity sweeteners, ultra-processed foods, and items high in added sugar, saturated fat, or sodium. It would also curb child-directed junk-food advertising and fund expanded nutrition research and a national education campaign.

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  • Families and shoppers: Shoppers would see conspicuous front-of-package warnings on packages and in online listings for the four product categories. Warnings must include an icon and occupy at least 5% of the front surface.
  • Children: Marketing that reasonably appears directed at children under 13 would face new limits. The Federal Trade Commission could bar child-directed ads for these products and requires warnings when ads target kids.
  • Research, public health, and agencies: The National Institutes of Health would get dedicated funding to study ultra-processed foods and related harms, while HHS and CDC get resources for rulemaking, enforcement, and a public education campaign.

*Authorizes about $75 million per year from 2027 through 2031 for NIH research, HHS rulemaking and enforcement, and a CDC education campaign, totaling about $375 million in authorized funding over five years.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Large front-of-package food warnings

If enacted, many foods and drinks sold in the U.S. would need large front-of-package health warnings starting 1 year after enactment. Drinks with 25 or more calories per 12 fluid ounces from added sugar, foods with any listed high-intensity sweetener, ultra-processed foods, and foods the FDA finds "high in" nutrients would show prescribed warnings. Warnings must use bold text, an icon, and take up at least 5% of the front area ("High in [nutrient]" warnings must appear in an octagon). The FDA would write rules on font, small packages, online sellers, and enforcement, and Congress authorized appropriations for rulemaking and enforcement for FY2027–2031 (no dollar amount is set in the labeling authorization).

Ban on child-directed junk ads

If enacted, the bill would bar companies from using child-directed advertising to market covered "junk food" to children under age 13. Advertising that does appear directed at children would have to include the required health or nutrient warning. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the ban, treat violations as unfair or deceptive acts, and write rules to implement the restrictions. The child-directed ad rules would take effect 1 year after enactment.

More federal nutrition research funding

If enacted, the National Institutes of Health would expand and coordinate nutrition science research, including studies on ultra-processed foods, additives, and how processing affects eating and disease. NIH would hold a public meeting within one year and every five years after, with coordination with FDA and other agencies. The bill authorizes $60,000,000 per year for this NIH program for fiscal years 2027–2031.

New national nutrition education campaign

If enacted, the CDC (through the HHS Secretary) would run a national Nutrition and Physical Activity Public Education Campaign to teach people how to use the new warnings, promote daily activity, and share strategies for healthier eating. The campaign would coordinate with federal, state, tribal, and local partners and update program appropriation years to FY2027–2031. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 per year for this campaign for fiscal years 2027–2031.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

VT • I

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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