News

On Aug. 19, 2026, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he has nominated White House policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Overton is a deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy at the White House working on health issues, is a medical doctor and has a doctorate in clinical investigation from Johns Hopkins University. Former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned in May and Kyle Diamantas has been serving as Acting Commissioner.

Monday, September 14, 2026 | 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm ET

With the FDA's Food Traceability Rule relating to Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) scheduled to go into effect on July 20, 2028, now is the time to prepare. Join six convenience distribution leaders for a panel discussion highlighting different flexible options for implementing the food traceability rule and real-life examples of what distributors should be and are doing now to prepare for compliance. Read more here.

On Aug. 18, 2026, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a Texas federal district court decision postponing the effective date and enforcement of the FDA’s graphic cigarette health warnings. Read more here.

On Aug. 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced two actions regarding federal oversight of food ingredients. HHS issued a proposed rule requiring manufacturers to notify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when concluding that the use of a substance added to human or animal food is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and, alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), submitted for final review the federal government’s first proposed definition of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Monday, September 14, 2026 | 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm ET

With the FDA's Food Traceability Rule relating to Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) scheduled to go into effect on July 20, 2028, now is the time to prepare. Join six convenience distribution leaders for a panel discussion highlighting different flexible options for implementing the food traceability rule and real-life examples of what distributors should be and are doing now to prepare for compliance. Read more here.

On Aug. 8, 2026, the Senate voted 90–6 to pass a continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government through Dec. 11, 2026. The CR includes a delay of a federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products that was set to go into effect in November. The temporary extension leaves Congress with several months to determine whether to implement the ban, further delay it or establish a new regulatory framework for hemp-derived THC products. Following the vote, the Senate adjourned for recess until Sept. 14, 2026.

The House passed a clean CR - H.R.9770 - on July 21, 2026, without anomalies, by a vote of 220-205, extending government funding through Dec. 4, 2026. The House is currently scheduled to return from recess on Aug. 31, 2026. However, the House’s return date is expected to be pushed back to align with the Senate’s schedule. Upon returning, the House and Senate will need to reconcile their respective CRs to avoid a government shutdown. Read more here.

On Aug. 10, 2026, Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH) introduced the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act. The bill gives Congress a targeted framework that protects children, provides regulatory certainty and allows responsible hemp beverage companies to operate under clear standards. Read more here.