FDA Food Regulations

Promoting Healthful Choices in the U.S. Food Supply Matters

The U.S. food supply plays a critical role in shaping dietary patterns, chronic disease risk and overall public health. Federal nutrition policies – particularly those related to food labeling and food reformulation – can help consumers make healthier choices while incentivizing industry to improve the nutritional quality of foods offered.

Front-of-package labeling, definitions of “healthy” foods, and sodium reduction initiatives are key tools for improving transparency and supporting population-level dietary improvements. These topics have gained bipartisan attention as concerns grow about diet-related chronic disease and the role of ultra-processed foods in the American diet.

Regulatory Priorities

Front-of-Package Labeling

The Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to modernize food labeling by issuing draft guidance and signaling interest in a mandatory front-of-package nutrition labeling approach. Clear, consistent front-of-package labeling has the potential to help consumers quickly identify products high in nutrients of public health concern. To strengthen consumer understanding and improve dietary decision-making, the Academy urges the FDA to finalize and implement a mandatory front-of-package nutrition labeling system. Specifically, the Academy ask FDA to:

• Issue a final rule adopting mandatory front-of-package nutrition labeling.
• Require "High In"-style front-of-package labels, or at minimum a strengthened version of the proposed “Nutrition Info” label that clearly highlights when a product contains high levels of a nutrient.
• Focus front-of-package labeling exclusively on the three nutrients to limit: added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat. Nutrients to encourage, such as fiber or calcium, should not be included to avoid consumer confusion.
• Require a disclosure on products containing non-nutritive sweeteners stating: "Contains non-nutritive sweeteners: Not recommended for children."

Phosphorus Labeling on the Nutrition Facts Label

Phosphorus is a critical nutrient, but excess phosphorus intake can present significant health concerns for individuals with chronic kidney disease and other conditions that affect phosphorus metabolism. While phosphorus-containing additives are widely used throughout the food supply, the amount of phosphorus in packaged foods is not currently required to appear on the Nutrition Facts label, making it difficult for consumers and health care professionals to assess intake and make informed dietary choices.

Greater transparency around phosphorus content would support evidence-based nutrition care, help consumers better manage chronic disease, and improve understanding of the contribution of phosphorus additives in the U.S. food supply. Research indicates that phosphorus additives are prevalent in processed foods, yet consumers have limited tools to identify or quantify their intake.

To improve consumer access to meaningful nutrition information, the Academy urges the FDA to:

• Require declaration of phosphorus content (in milligrams and percent Daily Value, as appropriate) on the Nutrition Facts label.
• Evaluate options for distinguishing naturally occurring phosphorus from added phosphorus in food products.
• Improve transparency regarding phosphorus-containing additives used in processed foods.
• Consider the needs of individuals with chronic kidney disease and other conditions requiring phosphorus management when updating food labeling policies.

Adding phosphorus information to the Nutrition Facts label would empower consumers, caregivers, and health professionals to make more informed dietary decisions and support better chronic disease management.

Sodium Reduction Targets

The FDA's voluntary sodium reduction initiative seeks to progressively lower population sodium intake by encouraging reformulation across packaged and prepared foods. Phase II sodium targets represent an important opportunity to build on earlier progress while ensuring accountability and transparency from industry. To meaningfully reduce excess sodium intake and protect cardiovascular health, the Academy urges the FDA to:

• Issue final guidance to industry with strong Phase II voluntary sodium reduction targets.
• Rigorously evaluate industry progress toward Phase I sodium targets and provide regular, public progress reports.
• Consider mandatory sodium reduction targets if industry fails to meet the Phase II voluntary targets by a clearly defined deadline.

FDA Food Regulation Resources

As a member of the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA) the Academy endorsed the NANA Nutrition Priorities for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This resource outlines policy recommendations to guide FDA action on food labeling, reformulation, and public health nutrition priorities.