Sponsors (6)
Designates a list of chemicals as "deemed unsafe" for food-contact materials, requires FDA to assess impacts on vulnerable populations for alternatives, effective in two years.
Official title: Amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem certain substances to be unsafe for use as food contact substances, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 9, 2026 by Richard Blumenthal · Last progress June 9, 2026
The bill creates a federal floor to reduce toxic chemicals in food packaging and requires consideration of vulnerable populations—trading near-term costs for industry and a two-year implementation delay against potential long-term public-health benefits and stronger state-level protections.
Children, pregnant people, seniors and other consumers will face reduced exposure to listed toxic chemicals in food-contact materials beginning two years after enactment.
Pregnant people, infants/children and workers potentially exposed will benefit from FDA reviews that must assess harms to vulnerable groups when evaluating substitute chemicals.
State and local governments and residents get a federal minimum health-protection standard while preserving the ability for states/locals to adopt stricter rules.
Small manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and ultimately consumers may face higher costs as companies reformulate or replace banned substances, raising product prices.
Children, pregnant people, and exposed workers could still be harmed if replacement chemicals are approved without complete safety data.
Children and pregnant people will continue to face ongoing exposures for up to two years while the rule is finalized and takes effect.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Designates a list of specific chemicals and chemical classes as "deemed unsafe" for use in food-contact materials under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and directs the Food and Drug Administration to consider impacts on vulnerable populations when reviewing substitute petitions. The list includes PFAS, ortho‑phthalates, multiple bisphenols, asbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, styrene polymers, and several other named substances. The measure establishes a two‑year delay before the rule takes effect, sets this standard as a federal minimum that does not block States or localities from keeping or adopting stricter rules, and clarifies that it does not change State or local causes of action except where inconsistent with the federal standard.