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The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) has advanced legislation that would require ‘warning’ labels on ‘ultra-processed’ packaged foods (UPFs) in a bid to improve children’s health across the nation.

The ‘Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2026,’ introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, would see the introduction of mandatory warning labels on a wide range of packaged foods deemed as UPFs.

These would include foods and beverages that are high in sugar, saturated fat and sodium, as well as those that contain various synthetic additives such as ‘high-intensity’ artificial sweeteners.

The legislation would also include a federal ban on ‘junk food’ advertising targeting children, similar to legislation recently introduced in the UK – a first-of-its-kind policy for the US.

Under the ban, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be required to implement ‘strong’ health and nutrient warning labelling on foods, as well as directing the National Institutes of Health to investigate the health impacts of UPFs and develop a national education campaign for families through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The food industry has faced mounting calls for tighter regulation on the sale and production of UPFs – particularly in the US, as the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission continues to push forward its strategy to end chronic childhood disease through targeted dietary measures.

These include federal bans on certain artificial ingredients such as multiple synthetic food dyes, with many major manufacturers including Kraft Heinz, General Mills and Nestlé having committed to removing artificial colours from their US portfolios in the coming years.

The HELP committee cleared the bill on 22 July 2026 in a 12-10 vote, advancing the legislation to the full Senate. Senator Sanders said the move marks a stand against “greedy corporations” putting “profit over health and wellbeing of our kids”.

“For decades, the food and beverage industry has made massive profits by enticing children to consume unhealthy products purposely designed to be overeaten – fuelling the twin crises of type 2 diabetes and obesity in America,” he commented.

“Nearly 30 years ago, Congress had the courage to take on the tobacco industry, whose products killed more than 400,000 Americans every year. Today, on a bipartisan basis, the Senate HELP Committee finally stood up to the greed of the food and beverage industry.”

The bill has drawn mixed responses and significant pushback from food industry organisations, with critics arguing that current broad categorising of UPFs lacks scientific evidence for association between level of industrial food processing and negative health outcomes.

Erin Streeter, executive vice president of the US’ National Association of Manufacturers, said: “Manufacturers support efforts to protect public health and give consumers clearer information, but legislation linking specific ingredients and food processing methods to health risks, without the rigorous evidence such claims require, risks unfairly targeting nutritious products, creating confusion and raising costs at a time when affordability matters most.”

Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs at advocacy organisation the Environmental Working Group, said defining UPFs and requiring front-of-package disclosure is “long overdue”.

“Diets high in UPF are a driver of chronic disease, linked to everything from diabetes to depression to dementia,” he said. “The United States leads the world in UPF consumption, and kids now get more than 60% of their calories from these foods. We applaud senators for advancing legislation to help consumers identify and avoid UPF.”