No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill would ban 15 categories of harmful chemicals from food packaging, including PFAS (forever chemicals), phthalates, bisphenols, formaldehyde, benzene, styrene polymers, and more. These substances are commonly found in wrappers, cans, and plastic containers and can leach into the food people eat.
• The bill specifically protects vulnerable populations by requiring the FDA to consider their health risks when evaluating any replacement chemicals companies propose to use instead of the banned substances. Vulnerable groups include infants, pregnant women, the elderly, workers, and communities facing high chemical exposure.
• Companies would have two years after the bill becomes law to stop using the banned chemicals and switch to safer packaging materials. This phase-in period is meant to give businesses time to reformulate without causing major disruptions to the food supply.
• The bill preserves the right of states and cities to pass their own laws that are stricter than the federal standard. This means states like California or Maine that already regulate some of these chemicals can keep their rules in place and go further if they choose.