WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 9231 · 119th Congress

No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026

IntroducedHealth
IntroducedJun 9, 2026
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

How this bill changes the law

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H.R. 9231 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as introduced in the House (Jun 9, 2026).

21 U.S.C. 348

What the words would change: every change, in place (2)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 21 U.S.C. 348added (l)by H.R. 9231 Sec. 2(a)

    (l) Substances deemed unsafe for use as food contact substances.—(1) In general.— For purposes of this section and section 402(a)(2)(C), the following are deemed to be unsafe for use as food contact substances:(A) Any chemical belonging to the class of ortho-phthalates.(B) Any chemical belonging to the class of PFAS.(C) Bisphenol A, B, S, F, or AF or related compounds.(D) Acrolein.(E) Acrylamide.(F) BHA (tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole).(G) Chlorinated paraffins.(H) 1,4-Dioxane.(I) Asbestos.(J) Benzene.(K) Chloroform.(L) Methylene chloride.(M) Ethylene oxide.(N) Formaldehyde.(O) Styrene polymers.(2) Alternative substances.— In acting in response to any petition under this section to establish safety with respect to a food contact substance that the Secretary determines to be an alternative to a substance listed in paragraph (1), in addition to the criteria under subsection (c), the Secretary shall consider potential adverse effects of exposure to the substance on vulnerable populations.(3) Definitions.— In this subsection:(A) The term ortho-phthalates means a class of chemicals that are non-polymeric esters of ortho-phthalic acid.(B) The term PFAS means a perfluoroalkyl substance or a polyfluoroalkyl substance that contains at least 1 fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom.(C) The term vulnerable population means a human population that is subject to the potential for disproportionate exposure to, or the potential for disproportionate adverse effect from exposure to, a chemical substance or mixture, including—(i) infants, children, and adolescents;(ii) pregnant women;(iii) the elderly;(iv) individuals with preexisting medical conditions;(v) workers who may be exposed to chemical substances and mixtures;(vi) residents in communities subject to disproportionate exposures; and(vii) members of any other appropriate population identified by the Secretary.

    The bill says: Section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 348) is amended by adding at the end the following:

  2. 21 U.S.C. 348added (m)by H.R. 9231 Sec. 2(b)

    (m) Preservation of State and local authority.—(1) In general.— Nothing in this section, or any rule promulgated under this section, shall be construed to limit the authority of a State or political subdivision of a State to enact, adopt, promulgate, and enforce any law, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other measure with respect to any food additive that is in addition to, or more stringent than, requirements established under this section, including a law, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other measure relating to—(A) the prohibition of the use of any substance as a food additive; and(B) the manufacture, distribution, sale, or use of any food containing a food additive regulated under this section.(2) Rule of construction regarding State and local law.— No provision of this section relating to food additives shall be construed to modify or otherwise affect any action or the liability of any person under the law of any State or political subdivision of a State.(3) Food additive defined.— In this subsection, the term food additive includes a food additive that is a food contact substance.

    The bill says: Section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 348) is amended further by adding at the end the following:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

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The Congressional Research Service hasn't published a summary of this bill yet. They usually follow within weeks of introduction.

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. 2026-06-09Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  2. 2026-06-09Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  3. 2026-06-09Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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Cosponsors

  • Nanette Diaz Barragán D-CA-44
  • Rosa L. DeLauro D-CT-3
  • Christopher R. Deluzio D-PA-17
  • Debbie Dingell D-MI-6
  • Laura Friedman D-CA-30
  • Jesús G. "Chuy" García D-IL-4
  • Adelita S. Grijalva D-AZ-7
  • Jonathan L. Jackson D-IL-1
  • Ted Lieu D-CA-36
  • Zoe Lofgren D-CA-18
  • Stephen F. Lynch D-MA-8
  • Kevin Mullin D-CA-15
  • Eleanor Holmes Norton D-DC-At Large
  • Chellie Pingree D-ME-1
  • Bonnie Watson Coleman D-NJ-12