No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4724
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T14:54:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 (S. 4724)
Purpose
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the use of certain chemicals in materials that touch food, such as packaging, with the goal of reducing exposure to substances linked to health risks.
Key Provisions
- Deemed unsafe substances: The following classes and individual chemicals are automatically considered unsafe for food contact:
- Ortho-phthalates (a group of plastic-softening chemicals).
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called "forever chemicals").
- Bisphenol A, B, S, F, or AF and related compounds.
- Acrolein, acrylamide, BHA (a preservative), chlorinated paraffins, 1,4-dioxane, asbestos, benzene, chloroform, methylene chloride, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, and styrene polymers.
- Review of alternatives: When evaluating petitions for replacement substances, the FDA must consider risks to vulnerable groups such as infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, workers, and communities with higher exposure.
- State and local laws: The federal rules set a minimum standard; states and localities may adopt or enforce stricter protections, and the bill does not block lawsuits under state consumer or tort laws unless they directly conflict.
- Delayed start: The new rules take effect two years after the bill becomes law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill adds a new subsection (l) to Section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This creates an automatic ban on listed substances rather than requiring case-by-case safety reviews, and it expands the criteria for evaluating substitute materials.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The FDA must update its oversight of food contact materials and consider vulnerable populations in future reviews.
- Citizens and businesses: Food manufacturers and packagers will need to reformulate products to remove the listed chemicals, which may increase costs and change packaging options for consumers.
- International relations: No direct effects are specified in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Food and Drug Administration (regulatory enforcement).
- Food producers, packagers, and retailers (compliance requirements).
- Consumers, particularly vulnerable populations (reduced chemical exposure).
- State and local governments (ability to maintain or strengthen their own rules).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill explicitly preserves state authority to set higher standards, which could lead to varied rules across the country. It focuses on public health protection through a minimum federal floor while allowing additional state-level actions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Cosponsors (4)
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (5 pages)