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FDA targets added sugar in processed foods as part of ‘Make America Healthy Again’ plan
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Wednesday, 28 January, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Washington, USA
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is putting sugar reduction at the forefront of its 2026 food policy agenda as part of the broader Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative led by health and human services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The strategy seeks to push the food industry toward lowering added sugars in products, a move officials say could help address chronic health issues tied to high sugar intake.
According to Food Dive, the FDA’s plan includes developing a strategy to encourage manufacturers to reduce added sugar levels in processed foods and beverages throughout the year. This may involve establishing guidelines for when products can be labeled “low added sugar,” and examining ways to inform consumers about sugar alternatives that do not spike blood glucose. The effort is part of the agency’s human foods program policy agenda for 2026.
The sugar-focused policy aligns with new federal dietary guidelines and MAHA’s broader push to shift American diets toward healthier patterns by discouraging high sugar consumption. Kennedy has openly criticized added sugars — including high-fructose corn syrup — linking them to obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases, and describing them as harmful to public health.
While industry stakeholders are expected to play a role in voluntary reformulations, the FDA’s approach stops short of mandating strict sugar limits. Instead, it emphasizes voluntary change, consumer education and clearer ingredient labeling to help shoppers make healthier choices. This is similar to past administration efforts on synthetic food dyes, where voluntary phase-outs prompted reformulations by major brands.
The sugar reduction strategy is part of a wider set of 2026 policy goals that include defining “ultraprocessed foods,” expanding voluntary “healthy” food labels and reassessing ingredient approval processes. Advocates argue these measures could help curb diet-related diseases, while critics caution about potential industry pushback and the balance between regulation and consumer choice.
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