WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a sweeping initiative on Wednesday to revoke or propose revocation of 52 food standards it deems obsolete or unnecessary. The move, part of a broader deregulatory agenda under President Trump’s Executive Order 14192, aims to streamline federal oversight and shift agency resources toward more effective consumer protections.
The standards targeted for removal cover a wide array of foods, including canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products, and other categories. Many of these regulations date back decades and have not kept pace with advancements in food science, manufacturing, and labeling.
“I’m eliminating outdated food regulations that no longer serve the interests of American families,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Today marks a crucial step in my drive to cut through bureaucratic red tape, increase transparency and remove regulations that have outlived their purpose.”
The agency’s action follows an internal review of more than 250 Standards of Identity—federal definitions that specify what a food product must contain, how it must be processed, and how it should be labeled. Established in 1939 to ensure “honesty and fair dealing,” many of these standards have remained on the books despite dramatic changes in consumer expectations, production technology, and safety requirements.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary noted that while food standards once played a vital role in preventing fraud and maintaining consistency, many now inhibit innovation and no longer contribute meaningfully to consumer protection.
“Antiquated food standards are no longer serving to protect consumers,” said Makary. “It is common sense to revoke them and move to a more judicious use of food standards and agency resources.”
Wednesday’s announcement included a direct final rule that would immediately revoke 11 standards for canned fruits and vegetables no longer sold in U.S. markets. Many of these products—particularly those artificially sweetened with saccharin—have been largely abandoned by consumers and manufacturers alike. The FDA also issued two proposed rules targeting 41 additional standards:
- 18 dairy product standards, including specific milk and cream types, cheeses, and frozen desserts.
- 23 standards for various food categories, such as bakery and pasta products, canned juices, seafood, and dressings.
If significant adverse comments are received, the FDA may withdraw the direct final rule and proceed through the standard notice-and-comment rulemaking process. The agency emphasized that the proposed changes do not reduce core safety or labeling protections, which are now enforced through more modern regulatory tools, including ingredient disclosures, good manufacturing practices, and nutritional labeling requirements.
This effort is part of a broader federal strategy to eliminate regulatory burdens while promoting innovation and consumer choice. In May, the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA issued a formal Request for Information to identify further outdated regulations that could be eliminated. That initiative directly supports the administration’s goal of “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.”
The FDA has invited public comment on the proposed changes and emphasized that its standards modernization campaign will continue as it evaluates remaining rules for relevance, effectiveness, and necessity.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.