As we have previously discussed, state and federal government authorities are turning their attention toward artificial coloring in foods. Most recently, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law SB 25 targeting the sale of foods containing certain color and food additives in the state. SB 25, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, differs from legislation passed in California, Utah, and West Virginia in certain key respects.
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Last week’s issuance of a request for information (RFI) in the Federal Register by the FDA and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) marks the first step in the administration’s effort to address health concerns associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF). As part of this process, the administration is seeking public involvement to help establish a uniform definition of UPFs. The notice consists of a series of questions about the criteria that should be used to define the term UPF (e.g., ingredients, processing methods, or nutritional attributes) but does not explain how the agencies intend to use the ultimate definition.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that manufacturers have completed the voluntarily phase-out of the use of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in grease-proofing agents for food packaging.