Lifestyle Sports: Latest from Food Politics: Big Food wants federal preemption (blocking) of tougher state standards for chemicals in food

By Marion Nestle

November 04 2025

Big Food wants federal preemption (blocking) of tougher state standards for chemicals in food

I first read about this in Food Business News: New coalition targets ‘ingredient transparency’

Major food, agricultural and consumer products trade groups and companies have given their support to Americans for Ingredient Transparency (AFIT), a new policy advocacy coalition seeking a uniform national standard for ingredient transparency…With many states now enacting or considering their own ingredient transparency laws, the goal is to avoid the emergence of “an ever-expanding patchwork of disjointed food, beverage and personal care regulations” that would sow confusion among US consumers, the coalition said.

Specifically, AFIT said it will focus on reform of the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) process, front-of-package labeling and QR codes….The group also said it seeks to amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish the US Food and Drug Administration as “the sole entity setting the floor and ceiling for regulations on the marketing and sale of foods, beverages and over-the-counter products in the United States.”

Translation: The coalition wants a weak federal law to preempt (block) tougher state standards for GRAS qualification and front-of-pack labels.

US Right to Know explains what this is really about: Americans for Ingredient Transparency: Product defense for unhealthy ultra-processed foods. It shows:

Sarah Sorscher in Food Safety News calls this out for what it is: a front group aiming to weaken food safety rules.

But wait! 84 organizations have called on Congress to block preemption of states’ rights to regulate food chemicals .

I’m for this group.

Which side are you on?

Let your congressional representatives know.

Now.

The post Big Food wants federal preemption (blocking) of tougher state standards for chemicals in food appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Weekend reading: legal advocacy action guide

Coming Soon: What to Eat Now

My new book What to Eat Now is a field guide to food shopping in America, and a treatise on how to eat well and deliciously.

Forthcoming November 11, 2025

For more information and pre-orders, click here.

You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs.