The No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 proposes amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to strengthen food packaging safety. The bill would classify several chemicals and chemical groups as unsafe for use in food contact substances, including ortho-phthalates, PFAS, bisphenols (such as BPA, BPS, and BPF), acrolein, acrylamide, BHA, chlorinated paraffins, 1,4-dioxane, asbestos, benzene, chloroform, methylene chloride, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, and styrene polymers. As a result, these substances could no longer be legally used in materials that come into contact with food. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate the potential impacts of alternative food contact substances on vulnerable populations when reviewing safety petitions. Vulnerable populations include infants, children, pregnant women, older adults, individuals with preexisting health conditions, workers exposed to chemicals, and communities facing disproportionate exposure risks. Additionally, the bill preserves the authority of state and local governments to establish and enforce food additive regulations that are more stringent than federal requirements. The proposed restrictions would take effect two years after the law’s enactment, allowing time for industry compliance and transition to safer alternatives.
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