• On May 1, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations printed appropriations Report 119-632 to accompany H.R.8646. The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies released the report, explaining its stance toward a variety of agricultural and food-related topics.
  • Some parts of the report make specific requests to the agencies. For example, the Committee directs the USDA to ensure that Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) funds, are not used to purchase cell-cultured protein. The report also asks that the FDA deliver a report on its actions to phase-out “harmful food dyes” such as Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1 within 90 days of H.R.8646 being enacted.
  • Other parts of the report express the Subcommittee’s disposition toward agency actions or inactions, without concrete requirements. For example, the report showed support for FDA’s GRAS process and post-market safety assessments for food additives while encouraging FDA to conduct further research on ultra-processed foods.
  • The Subcommittee expressed concern about food products containing cannabinoids since these substances are not yet approved as food additives and asks FDA to coordinate with other agencies to develop an appropriate enforcement mechanism for these products.
  • H.R. 8646 was received by the Senate on June 8, 2026. In addition to allocating appropriations, the bill adds a section to the end of Chapter IV of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This new section declares food additives used in animal food safe for use if they are accepted for use in specified species under AAFCO’s 2024 Publication and if the FDA has not found these ingredients to be unsafe. Animal food manufacturers will not be required to notify FDA of GRAS ingredients in animal food but may still notify the agency voluntarily. These amendments are the same as those in the PURR Act which was introduced in January 2025, but did not move past committee.
  • Keller & Heckman will continue to monitor federal legislative developments.