CHICAGO, October 31, 2025 — IFMA The Food Away from Home Association launched a new benefit for members: A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. The report is compiled and written by Dr. Joy Dubost, a renowned food scientist and registered dietitian with strong knowledge of what’s happening on the regulatory front.
FEDERAL UPDATES
USDA
SNAP Flight
Without any federal intervention for the first time on November 1st SNAP benefits which support over 41 million Americans (1 in 8) will lapse because of the government shutdown. Congressional Democrats and anti-hunger advocates are urging the USDA to use contingency funds for SNAP payouts. House Democrats sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins claiming the federal government is legally required to make payouts with a $5 billion fund which receives congressional appropriations to support nutrition programs when necessary.
The Administration has stated they cannot access backup funds to keep SNAP and other similar programs operating as noted in this memo arguing that the contingency fund is for events like natural disasters that “can come on quickly and without notice.” Secretary Rollins also released an op-ed this past weekend accusing Senate Democrats for holding out funding for SNAP recipients by keeping the government shutdown going. With this over 20 Democratic governors and attorney generals are suing the administration over its decision not to utilize those funds.
States have begun to delay their processes for directing benefits to EBT cards, which beneficiaries rely on in retail settings. This situation may soon affect retailers as well. Additionally, an increasing number of states are declaring emergencies to access additional funds for SNAP or to provide support to local food banks, both of which are expected to experience heightened activity.
At present, there is no clear resolution to this issue, and many Americans remain affected by the ongoing shutdown, with the tangible impact likely to become more pronounced in the near future.
MAHA
Pushing Back Against Industry
As reported in the last weekly regulatory report, after last week’s launch of the new coalition Americans for Ingredient Transparency (AFIT) 84 groups released an open letter strongly opposing “efforts to limit the power of states to help ensure the safety of food and food contact chemicals.” These groups, which include a former FDA Commissioner along with MAHA advocates and influencers, were up on Capitol Hill making their voice heard by strongly pushing back against this new coalition. It will be interesting to see how this develops and if the Administration makes any response or comment. For now, the states will keep pushing forward with MAHA friendly legislation while industry struggles with patchwork regulations.
Mounting Backlash
A group of 115 farmers and advocacy organizations including United We Eat, Moms Across Americas and Farm Action sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins recommending the USDA incorporate MAHA aligned changes that will better align the department with the MAHA led coalition who are at the core of Trump’s voter base. As found on their websites, the groups outlined their demands in a letter. Read more here.
Means Update
HHS Secretary Kenney's Top MAHA Advisor Calley Means has left the White House as he has completed his term as a special government employee. Means has been extremely vocal and influential in the MAHA strategy and agenda particularly at the state level. Read more here. Casey Means congressional hearing to become US Surgeon General was postponed on the 30th as she went into labor today. Her hearing will be rescheduled.
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Regulatory & Legislative Developments