REAL Sugar Act

Key Points

• The bill amends federal food safety law so that any food made for human consumption containing high fructose corn syrup is treated as unsafe, effectively banning it from being sold in interstate commerce.
• Food companies get a two-year grace period after the law passes before the ban applies, giving them time to reformulate sodas, breads, snacks, and condiments that currently use the sweetener.
• Three years after enactment, the FDA must report to Congress on how the food industry is reformulating products, what regulations were changed, and whether more legislation is needed.
• The bill is aimed at reducing processed sugar in the American diet, but it would require significant changes from corn growers and food manufacturers who currently rely on corn-based sweeteners.