Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to strengthen requirements for nutrient information on food labels, including front-of-package labeling, claims, ingredient lists, allergen labeling, and online sales. Sec. 2, Front-of-package labeling: Requires most packaged foods to bear interpretive nutrition information on the principal display panel, using a standardized symbol system that displays calories, added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat, and clearly distinguishes products of greater or lesser nutritional value. Sec. 3, Claims for conventional foods: Expands health-related claims to include structure-function and general well-being claims, requires manufacturers to substantiate claims within 90 days upon request, and prohibits claims for foods incompatible with healthy dietary practices. Sec. 4, Use of specific terms: Requires regulations defining "natural" to exclude artificial ingredients and based on consumer data, and revising the term "healthy" to consider added sugars and whole grains. Sec. 5, Format of ingredient list: Requires regulations to improve readability of ingredient lists, including font size, type, contrast, and bullet points, with biennial enforcement reports to Congress. Sec. 6, Declaration of phosphorus: Requires foods containing phosphorus to state "contains phosphorus" with quantity per serving adjacent to the ingredient list or in the Nutrition Facts Panel. Sec. 7, Caffeine content: Requires foods with at least 10 mg of caffeine per serving to state the caffeine amount and serving size near the ingredient list. Sec. 8, Food allergen labeling: Allows the Secretary to designate additional major food allergens by regulation and requires updating the FDA Compliance Policy Guide. Sec. 9, Information about major food allergens and gluten-containing grains: Expands allergen labeling to include gluten-containing grains and updates labeling requirements. Sec. 10, Submission and availability of food label information: Requires manufacturers to submit all label information to the FDA, with civil penalties for violations, and establishes a public searchable database. Sec. 11, Standards of identity: Requires review of standards of identity for nutrients associated with public health concerns, and amendments to allow salt substitutes and require live cultures in yogurt. Sec. 12, Study on fortification of corn masa flour: Requires a report to Congress on the effect of the 2016 folic acid fortification rule on folic acid intake by race and ethnicity. Sec. 13, Sugar alcohols and isolated fibers: Requires prominent labeling of allulose, polydextrose, sugar alcohols, or isolated fibers on the principal display panel, with warnings at levels causing deleterious health effects. Sec. 14, Formatting of information on principal display panels: Requires a study on legibility and updated regulations for text size and color contrast. Sec. 15, Sale of food online: Requires all label information to be available at the point of selection online, with specific format and prominence requirements, and prohibits platforms from blocking or charging extra for such information. Sec. 16, Definitions: Defines "food", "dietary supplement", "artificial", "synthetic", and "gluten-containing grains". Sec. 17, Regulations; delayed applicability: Requires proposed regulations within 1 year and final regulations within 2 years, with amendments applying 3 years after enactment.