H.R. 9231: No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026

This bill would change federal food packaging rules by automatically treating a list of chemicals as unsafe when they are used as food contact substances—that is, materials that can touch food, such as some packaging, coatings, and processing materials.

What chemicals would be covered

The bill says the following substances would be considered unsafe for use in food contact materials:

• Ortho-phthalates
• PFAS
• Bisphenol A, B, S, F, or AF, and related compounds
• Acrolein
• Acrylamide
• BHA (tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole)
• Chlorinated paraffins
• 1,4-Dioxane
• Asbestos
• Benzene
• Chloroform
• Methylene chloride
• Ethylene oxide
• Formaldehyde
• Styrene polymers

Because these substances would be treated as unsafe under federal law, they could not be used as food contact substances unless the law is changed again or an exception applies under another legal provision.

Effect on federal review of alternatives

If someone asks the FDA to approve a substitute chemical that is meant to replace one of the banned substances, the agency would have to take extra account of how that alternative might affect vulnerable populations. The bill defines vulnerable populations to include infants, children, pregnant women, older adults, people with preexisting medical conditions, workers exposed to chemicals, people living in areas with higher exposure, and other groups the Secretary identifies.

State and local authority

The bill says it would not limit the ability of states or local governments to pass or enforce their own, stricter rules on food additives. It also says nothing in the section should be read to affect state or local legal actions or liability. It specifically states that “food additive” includes food contact substances, so state and local rules could be broader than the federal standard.

When the changes would take effect

The new federal rule would not apply immediately. It would begin 2 years after the bill becomes law.

Relevant Companies

• DOW — Could be affected if demand changes for chemical products used in plastics, coatings, and packaging materials.
• LYB — Could be affected through packaging-related plastic and polymer markets if certain materials are restricted.
• PKG — As a packaging company, it could face changes in material choices and compliance costs if packaging inputs are restricted.
• MMM — Could be affected by restrictions on certain chemicals used in adhesives, coatings, or packaging-related products.
• PPG — Could be affected if coating or barrier-material formulations used in food packaging need to be changed.