Essentially, these policies are rooted in the Food as Medicine movement, which has been growing for several years. But the pace and intensity of change are accelerating, taking harmful ingredients out of existing foods and promoting healthy food as a more effective means of healthcare.

At Sifter, we've always championed smarter food and nutrition choices as a pathway to better public health. That’s exactly why we offer the Open Nutrient Density Index™ (ONDI) as a free resource for any grocery company aiming to build a trustworthy food scoring program. We're also proud to support the new FDA 'Healthy' guidelines at no cost. We recognize that America’s chronic disease crisis demands fresh thinking—and new ways of doing business.

Here’s a summary of five key policy directions and regulatory updates to help you navigate the shifting landscape.
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1. Enhanced Scrutiny of Food Ingredients
GRAS Reform: The FDA is revising the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) designation process, requiring companies to provide safety data before introducing new ingredients. This move aims to identify and remove potentially harmful substances from the food supply.

2. Updated Dietary Guidelines
2025-2030 Edition: The USDA and HHS are collaborating to release the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, focusing on clarity, accessibility, and timely delivery. These guidelines will influence nutrition standards across federal programs.

3. Transparency in Food Labeling
Labeling Initiatives: The administration is considering mandatory front-of-package labeling for products high in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. This initiative aims to provide consumers with clearer information to make healthier choices.

4. School Nutrition Standards
Program Adjustments: There is a push to reduce the presence of ultra-processed foods in school meal programs. This includes reevaluating the use of certain additives and promoting healthier meal options for students.

5. Ban on Artificial Food Dyes and Colors
Color Additive Crackdown: In a sweeping move aligned with public health research, the FDA announced a ban on several artificial food dyes. This policy will require reformulation across a wide range of processed foods, beverages, and snacks. The goal is to eliminate synthetic dyes in favor of natural alternatives that meet new safety thresholds.

Implications for Retail Grocery and Foodservice Providers

•    Ingredient Sourcing: Anticipate increased demand for clean-label and minimally processed products as regulatory standards evolve. Sifter technology can help manufacturers develop and position these clean labels.

•    Product Reformulation: Stay ahead of potential changes by considering reformulation of products to align with emerging health guidelines. Sifter can help link reformulations to competitors, label claims, chronic disease impacts, and other strategic factors. It also supports food scoring systems with the ONDI.

•    Labeling Compliance: Prepare for possible updates to labeling requirements, ensuring products meet new transparency standards. Sifter technology supports label compliance.

•    Supply Chain Adjustments: Monitor changes in ingredient availability and sourcing practices to stay compliant and meet consumer expectations. Sifter’s technology helps confirm the suitability of alternative ingredients.

At Sifter Solutions, we are committed to helping you navigate these regulatory changes. Our platform offers tools to track ingredient compliance, streamline product reformulations, and stay updated on labeling requirements. If you have any questions or need assistance in adapting to these new policies, please reach out.

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