Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026

(a) Use of the term natural

(1) In general. In promulgating the regulations required by section 17, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall include regulations—

(A) relating to use of the term natural on the labeling of food (other than a dietary supplement);

(B) specifically addressing the use of such term on the principal display panel and the information panel; and

(C) requiring that any such use includes a prominent disclosure explaining what the term natural does and does not mean in terms of ingredients and manufacturing processes.

(2) Definition. The regulations promulgated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall define the term natural—

(A) to exclude, at a minimum, the use of any artificial food or ingredient (including any artificial flavor or added color); and

(B) based on data, including data on consumers’ understanding of the term as used in connection with food.

(3) Process. In promulgating the regulations required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—

(A) conduct consumer surveys and studies and issue a timely call for relevant public submissions regarding relevant consumer research, including with respect to consumer understanding of the term natural in relation to the term organic; and

(B) fully consider the results of such surveys and studies, as well as such public submissions.

(b) Use of term healthy

(1) Added sugars and whole grains

(A) In general. In promulgating the regulations required by section 17, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall include regulations to revise the regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) relating to the use of the term healthy on the labeling of a food (other than a dietary supplement) to take into account the extent to which such food contains added sugars or whole grains.

(B) Requirement. In making the revisions required by subparagraph (A) in the case of a food (other than a dietary supplement) that contains grains, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not consider the food to be healthy unless 100 percent of the grains are whole grains.

(2) Sodium. In promulgating the regulations required by section 17, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall revise the regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) relating to the use of the term healthy on the labeling of a food (other than a dietary supplement) to align labeling requirements related to sodium with the daily value for sodium in the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

(3) Principles for implementing regulations. In promulgating regulations under paragraphs (1) and (2) regarding the use of the term healthy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—

(A) consider both food and nutrient criteria; and

(B) if requiring food labeled as healthy to contain healthful ingredients—

(i) consider only ingredients that make up the core of a healthy eating pattern; and

(ii) consider these ingredients only in their nutrient-dense forms (as such term in defined in paragraphs (bb) and (cc) of section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as added by section 2(b) of this Act).