Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require front-of-package icons that flag foods high in added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat and push major updates to ingredient, allergen, and online labeling across the food supply. It would also mandate full ingredient disclosures, new nutrient counts like phosphorus and caffeine per serving, and create a public FDA database of product labels.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Online sellers must show full labels
If enacted, foods sold online would have to show key label information before purchase. Retail sites and apps would present the Nutrition Facts Panel in the same format, the ingredient list, front-panel info, and allergen or gluten-grain information at the point of selection. Nutrition info must be easily accessible on the first screen on mobile devices. Limited exemptions and reduced penalties can apply where online omissions copied the physical label. These rules would start 3 years after enactment.
New front-of-package High-In icons
This bill would require a clear icon on the top half of the front panel when a food is high in added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat. The FDA would have to set Daily Reference Values (including infant and child values) and propose the front-of-package rule within 180 days, with final rules within 2 years. If the FDA misses the 2-year deadline, proposed rules would become final on that date. These labeling changes would take effect 3 years after enactment.
Stronger front-panel ingredient and claims
If enacted, many foods would need new front-panel disclosures. Packages must show phosphorus in milligrams per serving. Foods with artificial dyes or added flavors must say so. Whole-grain claims would show percent whole versus refined grain, and fruit/vegetable claims must show amount per serving and form. Foods with allulose, polydextrose, sugar alcohols, or isolated fibers must state that on the front, and the FDA would set per-serving thresholds that trigger health warnings. Foods with at least 10 mg caffeine per serving would list milligrams per serving and the serving size. Trans-fat statements outside the Nutrition Facts Panel would be limited and tied to saturated-fat levels. A 'low added sugar' claim would be allowed at 3 grams or less added sugar per reference amount (special per-50 g rule applies for very small reference amounts).
FDA labeling database and submissions
The bill would require manufacturers or importers of packaged foods to submit full label information electronically to the FDA and keep it current. The FDA would host a public, searchable database of those submissions. A knowing failure to submit could bring civil penalties up to $10,000 per day for each food. These submission requirements would take effect 3 years after enactment.
Expanded allergen and gluten disclosures
If enacted, the FDA could add new major food allergens by rule. Packages would have to list 'gluten-containing grain' (wheat, rye, barley, and crossbred hybrids) right after the ingredient list, and nonpackaged foods must display gluten grain info on an adjacent sign. The FDA must update its compliance guidance within 2 years. These changes would take effect 3 years after enactment.
New label definitions and readability study
The bill would add legal definitions for terms like 'artificial', 'synthetic', 'gluten-containing grain', and 'online'. Those definitions would apply starting 3 years after enactment. The FDA would also study label legibility within 2 years and then propose new text-size and color-contrast rules within one year after the study, with final rules within two years after the study.
Study and monitoring of sweeteners
The bill would require the FDA to report to Congress within 2 years on whether makers have increased use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners and whether that rise could harm health. After the report, the FDA would monitor sweetener use over time and act if use reaches levels that it finds harmful.
Review of food identity standards
The bill would make the FDA review standards of identity within 2 years and report to Congressional committees. The FDA would then update rules to allow salt substitutes where appropriate and to require minimum live and active cultures per gram in yogurt categories. Those substantive changes would begin 3 years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov