National Institutes of Health research on nutrition science

Part A of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 404P. Research and collaboration on nutrition science (a) In general The Director of NIH shall expand, intensify, and coordinate programs, such as the Nutrition Regulatory Science Program, for the conduct and support of research with respect to nutrition science, including research on— (1) the health effects of ultra-processed foods on consumers; (2) the specific food and beverage ingredients, additives, sweeteners, and chemicals within ultra-processed foods that may be harmful to health; (3) the safety profile of food and beverage ingredients, additives, sweeteners, and chemicals that have been self-affirmed by food and beverage manufacturers as generally recognized as safe without review of such status by the Food and Drug Administration; and (4) the formulation of ultra-processed foods to have hyper-palatable qualities and association with addiction. (b) Meetings on nutrition (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2026, and every 5 years thereafter, the Director of NIH, in coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the heads of other agencies, as appropriate, shall convene a public meeting for the purpose of discussing research efforts aimed at improving nutrition and reducing the incidence of diet-related chronic disease, with the goal of informing Federal policy. (2) Participants (A) In general Each meeting under paragraph (1) shall involve a diverse group of stakeholders, including food scientists and researchers, registered dietitians and nutritionists, clinicians specializing in nutrition-related diseases, Federal stakeholders, and nongovernmental organizations focused on nutrition and health. (B) Consideration In selecting stakeholders described in subparagraph (A) for participation in each meeting under paragraph (1), the Director of NIH shall ensure that stakeholders who are speaking at the meeting have no financial affiliation with manufacturers of ultra-processed food. (3) Topics Each meeting under paragraph (1) shall include discussion of— (A) current research findings related to nutrition and chronic disease, including the impact of food labeling requirements under section 403(z) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (B) any gaps in such research and priorities for future research; (C) evidence-based practices for improving nutrition and innovative approaches to prevent and manage chronic conditions through dietary innovations; and (D) such other topics as the Director of NIH determines appropriate. (4) Report to Congress The Director NIH, in coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall submit a report on each meeting under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and shall make each such report publicly available on the website of the National Institutes of Health. (c) Definition In this section, the term ultra-processed food has the meaning given such term in section 403(z)(6) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (d) Authorization of appropriations For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $60,000,000 for each fiscal years 2027 through 2031..