Food & Nutrition

FDA Names Kyle Diamantas as Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods

The FDA named Kyle Diamantas as Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods following the resignation of former Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones earlier this month. Diamantas will oversee all FDA nutrition and food safety activities and exercise authority over all Human Food Program entities and operations, including food resources in the agency's Office of Inspections and Investigations. Diamantas previously worked as a partner at the multinational law firm Jones Day, working with food and beverage industry clients.

Senate HELP Committee to Host Nomination Hearings for FDA and NIH Leadership 

Next week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee scheduled nomination hearings to consider key leadership positions at the FDA and the National Institute of Health (NIH). On March 5, 2025, the Committee will consider Dr. Jay Bhattacharya’s nomination for Director of the NIH and Dr. Marty Makary’s nomination for FDA Commissioner on March 6, 2025. 

FDA Delays Effective Date of Nutrient Content Claim “Healthy” Final Rule

The FDA issued a notice to delay the effective date of the agency's final rule, Nutrient Content Claims, Definition of Term: Healthy, from February 25, 2025, until April 28, 2025. The delay follows President Trump's Executive Order to freeze pending regulatory actions at the agency. Manufacturers will still be required to comply with the final rule by February 25, 2028. The agency’s stakeholder webinar to provide an overview of the final rule remains postponed and is anticipated to be scheduled for a later date. 

NIH Releases NIH-FDA Nutrition Regulatory Science Workshop Recordings

The National Institute of Health (NIH) released recordings from the NIH-FDA Nutrition Regulatory Science Workshop, held December 17-18, 2024. The two-day workshop discussed how nutrition science can be used to inform food-related policy and regulatory decision-making. The meeting also included discussions on ultra-processed food research and explored future research opportunities to reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases across the U.S. The NIH also intends to release a workshop summary from the day's sessions at a later date.

Food Safety

Texas Introduces Bill to Establish Committee to Examine Ultra-Processed Foods

Texas introduced a bill that would establish an advisory committee to examine the connection between ultra-processed foods (UPFs), including foods containing artificial color and food additives, on health and the prevalence of chronic diseases. The legislation would direct the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to provide an independent review of scientific studies analyzing the effects of UPFs on human health and develop dietary and nutritional guidelines based on the evidence and information concerning diet and nutrition. The legislation would also require food manufacturers to include a warning label on any product they sell that contains artificial colors, food additives, or other chemical ingredients that have been banned in Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom. 

On a similar note, Arizona passed legislation in the House that would prohibit schools from serving or selling ultra-processed foods, defined as containing several food additives and colors such as brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, red dye 3, and more. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Meanwhile, other states such as Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Texas, and Utah have also introduced similar legislation.

Agriculture

USDA Releases Five-Pronged Approach to Address Avian Flu

The USDA announced the agency’s investment to support the U.S. poultry industry through a new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strategy. The five-pronged strategy will include investments in biosecurity measures, financial relief for affected farmers, and vaccine research. As part of the strategy’s five-prong approach, the USDA will (1) invest in ‘gold-standard’ biosecurity measures for U.S. poultry producers, (2) increase relief to aid farmers and accelerate repopulation, (3) remove regulatory burdens on the poultry and egg industry to further innovation, (4) explore pathways toward vaccines, therapeutics, and other strategies for protecting egg-laying chickens to reduce instances of depopulation, and (5) consider temporary import-export options to reduce costs for consumers and evaluate international best practices.

Global

Canada Launches Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling Awareness Campaign 

Health Canada launched a social media information campaign to raise awareness and promote compliance for the country’s front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling regulations for foods high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. On January 1, 2026, Canadian food manufacturers must comply with the FOP nutrition labeling requirements and accompanying symbol. The campaign initiative includes fact sheets, awareness messages, content for social media, and additional nutrition labelling resources to inform industry and consumers of the new FOP nutrition symbol and labeling requirements.

Fun Fact: Radishes are widely considered one of the fastest-growing vegetables, with some varieties taking as little as 25 days to mature from seed to harvest.