Food & Nutrition

HHS Senior Advisor Calley Means Departs Trump Administration

Calley Means, Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced his departure from the Trump administration amid reported frustrations over White House delays in advancing key issues of the administration’s food policy agenda. According to POLITICO, Means had grown increasingly frustrated with White House delays in advancing several of Secretary Kennedy’s food policy initiatives. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Means also expressed concerns about the influence of food industry stakeholders on the administration’s policy decisions. Reporting also indicated that Means’ departure came amid a meeting scheduled to take place with Secretary Kennedy and White House officials to discuss a federal definition of ultra-processed foods, a key priority of the administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. His departure comes ahead of the November midterm elections, as Republicans seek to maintain support among MAHA-aligned voters.

Center for American Progress Releases Food and Chemical Safety Policy Agenda

The Center for American Progress (CAP), a progressive policy think tank, released a report outlining policy recommendations aimed at strengthening food and chemical safety regulations and improving access to nutritious foods. The report calls on progressive policymakers to “reclaim leadership” of the food and chemical safety priorities at the center of the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. Key recommendations include requiring front-of-package warning labels on packaged foods and beverages, including warnings related to ultra-processed food; banning chemicals with substantial evidence of harm; and strengthening safety reviews of chemicals used in foods. CAP also proposes establishing a National Institute of Nutrition within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and establishing a nationwide healthy food incentive program. In addition to the report, CAP released a poll showing widespread concern about food and environmental safety and support for stricter regulations, with more than 70% of respondents supporting an immediate ban on certain chemicals.

Food Safety

FDA Publishes Draft Guidance on Action Levels for Cadmium in Processed Baby Food 

FDA published the draft guidance, Action Levels for Cadmium in Processed Food Intended for Babies and Young Children, proposing action levels for cadmium in certain processed foods intended for babies and young children as part of the agency’s Closer to Zero initiative. The draft guidance proposes an action level of 10 ppb for certain fruits, vegetables, and mixtures; 25 ppb for single-ingredient carrots; 45 ppb for dry infant cereals; 20 ppb for yogurts, puddings, and custards; and 25 ppb for single-ingredient meats. The draft guidance builds on FDA’s ongoing efforts to reduce heavy metal exposure in foods consumed by infants and young children, including its January 2025 guidance establishing action levels for lead in processed foods. Comments on the draft guidance are due December 22, 2026. 

FDA Publishes Draft Guidance on Preventive Controls for Chemical Hazards

FDA published Chapter 12 of the agency’s draft guidance, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food, addressing the identification, evaluation, and control of chemical hazards under FDA’s food safety regulations. The chapter provides guidance to manufacturers on identifying and evaluating potential chemical hazards and implementing appropriate current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) and preventive controls, including supply-chain controls, to minimize or prevent these hazards. According to the agency, when finalized, the guidance may be useful to companies seeking to reduce heavy metal levels in their products and better meet action levels set under the agency’s Closer to Zero initiative. Comments on the draft guidance are due January 21, 2027.