Congress bans toxic chemicals from food packaging—here's who pays
H.R. 9231 — No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 · Filed by Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) · 14 cosponsors · Introduced Jun 9, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill bans 18 specific toxic chemicals—including PFAS, phthalates, BPA, asbestos, and formaldehyde—from food packaging and food contact materials. It gives the FDA 2 years to implement the ban and requires the agency to consider effects on vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women, workers, low-income communities) when evaluating safer alternatives. States can impose stricter rules if they choose.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is straightforward: it amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit a defined list of toxic chemicals from food contact materials. This is direct regulatory action in the public health domain, not a tax provision, appropriation, or procedural measure.
What the text implies
- Packaging manufacturers will face significant retooling costs and supply-chain disruption; these costs may be passed to consumers in the form of higher food prices, though likely modest.
- The 2-year timeline is tight for reformulation of complex multi-layer packaging; some smaller manufacturers may struggle to comply, potentially consolidating the market toward larger players with R&D capacity.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
alternative packaging material manufacturers; chemical companies producing safer substitutes; food safety testing and certification firms