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This section captures a floor statement or debate entry. It mentions legislation such as Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, members such as Derek Schmidt. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
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April 30, 2026
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextBILL (H.R. 7567) TO PROVIDE FOR THE REFORM AND CONTINUATION OF
AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2031, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
speech of
HON. DEREK SCHMIDT
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Mr. SCHMIDT. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, No. 43, which would direct the secretaries of agriculture and health and human services to enter into a memorandum of understanding to conduct collaborative research related to increasing the domestic production of crops that can be used to produce natural food colors. With growing interest among consumers in foods containing no synthetic food dyes, the demand for natural alternatives is increasing. Currently, the United States lacks domestic production of natural food dyes, requiring these dyes to be sourced from overseas.
for American agriculture to step into the gap and grow the crops necessary to produce the brightly colored foods that so many of us enjoy. Working together, under the direction of my amendment, USDA and HHS will work to identify the barriers that exist to producing these crops domestically and processing them into the natural dyes that can be used by American food companies.
staff for working with me on this amendment and for including it in the en bloc amendment. I am also grateful to the industry groups who worked with us on this issue. I include in the Record a letter of support for my amendment signed by seven industry groups.
Mr. Chair, thank you for your consideration. I urge the adoption of my amendment as part of the en bloc package, and passage of the long- overdue Farm Bill.
April 28, 2026.
Hon. Derek Schmidt,
Longworth House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Schmidt: As representatives of food and
ingredient manufacturers and suppliers, we write to share our
support for your Amendment #204 to H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food,
and National Security Act of 2026, which would direct the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to coordinate activities to enhance the
capacity of domestic producers to increase production of
crops used in naturally derived food and beverage colorants.
The U.S. food industry is currently managing a complex,
system-wide shift in how color ingredients are sourced,
produced, and incorporated into finished products. This
transition is being driven by evolving regulatory frameworks
and supply chain realities that will require alignment across
agricultural production, ingredient processing, manufacturing
systems, and distribution and retail channels. Coordinated
federal engagement between USDA and HHS is essential to
ensure that these interconnected elements develop in a
practical, efficient, and economically viable manner.
Enhancing the capacity of domestic producers to increase
production of colorant crops presents a meaningful
opportunity for U.S. agriculture, but doing so at scale will
require deliberate planning, sustained research, and targeted
investment. Key considerations include agronornic suitability
across regions, identification of crops most effective for
reliable colorant production, crop genetics, and the need to
address barriers to scale such as pest and disease pressures,
harvesting technology, and other production challenges. In
addition, investment in processing and extraction
infrastructure—such as juicing and extraction facilities—
and the development of stable, predictable markets for
growers will be essential. In the absence of coordinated
efforts, these factors may limit the pace, efficiency, and
affordability with which domestic production capacity can be
developed.
At the same time, the current supply chain for many
naturally derived colorant inputs is global in nature. U.S.
manufacturers rely on established international sourcing
channels, which introduces exposure to trade dynamics,
regional production variability, and logistical constraints.
Federal coordination that considers both domestic production
capacity and global sourcing dependencies can help support
continuity of supply as domestic capabilities are developed
over time.
From a manufacturing perspective, incorporating naturally
derived colorants involves significant operational
considerations. These ingredients often require different
handling, processing conditions, and quality control
approaches than traditional alternatives, and their
successful integration may necessitate capital investments,
process modifications, and updated supply chain management
practices. Coordinated research, development, and
demonstration of methods and technologies, along with
information sharing across stakeholders, will be important to
support efficient implementation while maintaining product
consistency and regulatory compliance.
Your amendment appropriately recognizes that this is not a
single-agency issue. By establishing a framework for
interagency coordination, competitive and merit-reviewed
research, and collaboration across federal agencies,
institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations,
and industry partners, the amendment creates a strong
foundation for advancing this work. Support for research
infrastructure, workforce development, and public-private
collaboration will be critical to translating research into
scalable, real-world outcomes and sustaining progress over
time.
Thank you for your leadership on this issue and for your
attention to the operational and economic considerations
facing both U.S. agriculture and food manufacturers. We stand
ready to serve as a resource as this effort moves forward and
strongly encourage the House of Representatives to adopt your
amendment.
Sincerely,
National Confectioners Association, Consumer Brands
Association, International Dairy Foods Association,
Independent Bakers Association, SNAC International, American
Bakers Association, National Seasoning Manufacturers
Association.