(WDNews) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to revoke 52 old food regulations, saying the rules are no longer needed and could be holding back innovation.
The outdated rules, known as “Standards of Identity,” cover a variety of foods including canned fruits, vegetables, dairy, baked goods, and pasta. These standards were created as far back as 1939 to make sure food products were consistent and safe. But federal officials say many of the rules no longer apply to today’s food production and labeling systems.
Simply put, these rules were like government-mandated recipes that told companies exactly how to make certain foods. But with today’s modern safety laws and clearer nutrition labels, many of these old standards are no longer needed.
“I’m eliminating outdated food regulations that no longer serve the interests of American families,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Today marks a crucial step in my drive to cut through bureaucratic red tape.”
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary agreed, adding, “Antiquated food standards are no longer serving to protect consumers. It is common sense to revoke them.”
The move is part of a larger deregulation effort launched under the Trump administration and continued through Executive Order 14192, “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.” The goal is to reduce unnecessary rules and allow more flexibility in how food is made and marketed—especially as consumer protection laws and labeling standards have improved over time.
Here’s what’s being proposed:
11 canned fruit and vegetable standards will be revoked immediately, including those for products made with saccharin, which are no longer sold in stores.
18 dairy-related standards are up for removal, including rules on milk, cream, cheeses, and frozen desserts.
23 other standards covering bakery items, noodles, fish, fruit juices, and salad dressings are also being considered for removal.
The FDA says newer rules already in place—like modern food labeling, packaging safety, and nutrition standards—make many of these older regulations unnecessary.
