HR4725-119

What This Bill Does

The TRUTH in Labeling Act turns pending FDA front-of-package nutrition labeling into a statutory deadline and content mandate. Congress finds that Americans consume too much added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat; that front-of-package labels can improve food choices, especially for busy shoppers and people with lower nutrition literacy; and that policies lacking non-nutritive sweetener disclosure can push reformulation toward sweeteners that public health organizations advise children to avoid. Within 180 days, the HHS Secretary must finalize the proposed rule on Food Labeling: Front-of-Package Nutrition Information. The final rule must require food for human consumption to bear principal-display-panel labels identifying high amounts of added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat, with separate labels as applicable, based on Daily Values for adults, children ages 1 to 3, and infants through 12 months. The labels must include the words 'High in' and a conspicuous exclamation point icon. If a food contains non-nutritive sweeteners, the panel must state that fact and include a factual statement that non-nutritive sweeteners are not recommended for children, adjacent to any high-nutrient label. The requirements apply to foods represented for infants through 12 months and children 1 through 4, except infant formula. HHS must establish Daily Reference Values and percent Daily Values for added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat for infants and update values for children ages 1 to 3 consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines, while preserving the ability to update low-sodium claims to 115 milligrams per reference amount or per 100 grams.

Who Benefits and How

Consumers benefit from front-of-package labels that quickly identify high added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. Parents of young children benefit from non-nutritive-sweetener disclosures and child advisories on the principal display panel. Lower-literacy shoppers benefit because the bill makes key nutrition signals visible without requiring detailed Nutrition Facts review. Public health organizations benefit from rules intended to reduce sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and non-nutritive sweetener exposure.

Who Bears the Burden and How

HHS Secretary must finalize the FDA proposed rule within 180 days and update Daily Values for infants and young children. Food manufacturers must place high-nutrient labels and non-nutritive-sweetener statements on principal display panels. Infant and toddler food brands face labeling duties even where current exemptions would otherwise apply, except for infant formula. FDA labeling staff must implement revised Daily Reference Values, percent Daily Values, and possible low-sodium claim updates.

Key Provisions

• Requires HHS to finalize front-of-package nutrition labeling rules within 180 days.
• Requires principal-display-panel labels for high added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat.
• Requires non-nutritive-sweetener disclosure with a factual statement that those sweeteners are not recommended for children.
• Extends front-of-package labeling to foods marketed for infants and young children other than infant formula.
• Directs updated Daily Values for added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat for infants and children ages 1 to 3.