Shifting policies in Washington D.C. can affect many links in the supply chain for the US food industry, which is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the US. Food companies need specialized information on a variety of food regulations that can impact compliance, whether it is to track food additive approvals, follow inspection trends, keep up with food label changes, or monitor emerging issues such as cannabis and cell-based meats.Key facts about US food policy
US Food Policy Analysis
Key themes affecting US food policy
One of the most high-profile issues facing US food and supplement manufacturers is the lack of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules on cannabidiol (CBD) in foods, which has blocked major companies from taking advantage of the lucrative market. Will there be a legal pathway for cannabis as an ingredient in food and supplements?
We expect increasing enforcement of the Food Safety Modernization Act after the FDA allowed a phase-in of some of the requirements for US and foreign suppliers. All eyes will be on the production industry as it struggles to prevent future romaine outbreaks in the states of California and Arizona, while the FDA continues tinkering with agriculture water standards.
Food labelling policy should continue to shape the marketplace as regulators try to define “healthy,” modernize standards of identity and weigh in on whether plant-based dairy alternatives should be labelled with traditional dairy terms. Dietary supplement firms need to keep an eye on FDA, which signalled interest in modernizing ingredient reviews.
The FDA and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will need to make tough decisions on a new regulatory blueprint for food safety controls and the labelling of cell-cultured products derived from the stem cells of animals.
With retailers implementing policies to control and eliminate use of antibiotics in poultry, pressure is building on the beef industry to catch up.
And food companies will need to continue navigating trade wars and the impact of the next presidential election on congressional leaders and future food policy priorities.
| Major US food policy legislation and/or upcoming policies | |
| The FDA must issue a final rule that defines “high risk” foods, which triggers stricter recordkeeping | November 2022 |
| Compliance with the USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure law becomes mandatory for all company sizes | January 2022 |
| All hemp producers must be licensed by state/tribe authority under the 2018 Farm Bill | November 2020 |
| FDA compliance deadline for large companies to use revamped Nutrition Facts label and serving size changes on food packages | January 2020, with enforcement set to begin for most companies in July 2020 |
| Notice to USDA for hog slaughter plants that want to convert to the New Swine Inspection System | March 2020 |
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