The largest food industry association is trying to leverage voter frustrations with the cost of their groceries to convince lawmakers to limit Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to regulate ultraprocessed food.
The Consumer Brands Association, whose members make American staples like Doritos and Kraft Mac & Cheese, is eyeing draft House legislation from Florida Republican Kat Cammack that would preempt state food regulations and change how the Food and Drug Administration regulates food additives. Consumer advocates have criticized the bill for being too industry friendly.
Executives at the association warned a wave of state laws targeting their industry will raise prices for consumers and urged lawmakers to implement a uniform standard.
“It adds costs. If [Republicans] don’t act, it’s more likely that California and New York become the de facto regulator in those spaces,” Rhonda Bentz, who oversees government affairs for the group, told reporters at a Tuesday roundtable.
