H.R. 6294: Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2025

This bill requires health warnings on labels and in advertisements for food and beverages that are sweetened, processed, or contain a high level of certain nutrients, and it prohibits specifically advertising such products to children. It also expands research and outreach on proper nutrition.

The bill requires various Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings on labels for (1) sugar-sweetened beverages, (2) food and beverages with non-sugar sweeteners, (3) ultra-processed food and beverages (as defined by the FDA based on recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine), and (4) food and beverages with certain nutrients (e.g., sugar, saturated fat, sodium) at levels that increase health risks. These warnings must contain specified information regarding the risks of developing certain health conditions (e.g., diabetes); warnings for sugar-sweetened beverages and for non-sugar sweetened food and beverages must specifically say that these products are not recommended for children.

Additionally, the bill prohibits marketing or advertising these products to children under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which is primarily enforced by the FDA. Further, marketing or advertising these products to children, or without the required warnings, is considered an unfair or deceptive trade practice that is subject to action by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The bill specifically restores the FTC's statutory authority to regulate advertising targeting children (this authority was limited in 1980).

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.