Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9593
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-07-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T03:08:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9593: Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026
Purpose
The legislation aims to protect food safety by banning the sale or distribution of food packaging that contains intentionally added PFAS (a group of fluorinated chemicals) in interstate commerce.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) to add a new prohibition on the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of any food packaging containing intentionally added PFAS.
- Defines "PFAS" as a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom.
- The prohibition takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new category of prohibited acts under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, expanding the list of violations related to food products.
- Introduces a targeted restriction specifically on intentionally added PFAS in food packaging, without altering other existing rules on food safety or chemical use.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would gain authority to enforce this new prohibition as part of its oversight of food products moving across state lines.
- Citizens: May lead to reduced exposure to PFAS through food packaging, potentially affecting consumer product availability starting in 2027.
- International relations: Could influence imported food packaging that enters U.S. interstate commerce, though the bill does not address exports or foreign regulations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Food manufacturers and packaging producers, who must ensure compliance with the ban.
- The FDA, responsible for enforcement.
- Consumers of packaged foods.
- Companies involved in the production and distribution of food containers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill represents a direct federal prohibition on a specific chemical class in consumer products, building on the existing framework of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
- No explicit constitutional challenges are outlined in the text; it operates within Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce.
- The measure focuses solely on intentional addition of PFAS, leaving unintentional contamination unaddressed in this legislation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-07-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-07-06: Introduced in House
- 2026-07-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026 — issued 2026-07-06 — PDF (2 pages)