New Coalition Advocates for Ingredient Transparency
A new coalition has emerged this week, highlighting the desire for ingredient transparency under the banner “Americans want ingredient transparency.” Their main aim is to push for a National Ingredient Transparency Act while balancing the MAGA and MAHA agendas.
The coalition is spearheaded by Julie Gunlock, a conservative policy advocate, along with Andy Koenig, who served as a special policy assistant to Trump. They are joined by a diverse group of concerned Americans, policy experts, farmers, and industry leaders. Together, they advocate for accessible, fact-based information about product ingredients, emphasizing the need for consumer-friendly transparency to help families make informed choices.
They are advocating for federal legislation to establish national standards for ingredient transparency. They have expressed readiness to collaborate with the Trump Administration and Congress to integrate Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) reform, front-of-pack labeling reform, and QR code reform into national regulations.
A video released by the coalition articulates their message clearly. “Americans are sending a clear message: We want a healthier nation and confidence in the safety of our food, drinks, and products. We need decisive government action to get the results we deserve,” the narrator states, highlighting the inconsistencies in ingredient and labeling regulations across states.
The narrator notes, “This patchwork of state laws confuses consumers and limits choices, driving up grocery costs and negatively impacting small businesses. A cohesive national ingredient and labeling law could resolve this.” The emphasis is on the necessity of uniform standards so that all Americans, regardless of location, can feel assured about the safety of their food and personal care items.
The Trump administration, led in particular by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been a driving force behind MAHA transparency. Several companies have responded by removing artificial dyes and improved their transparency regarding product contents.
In light of this, the American Beverage Association (ABA) has recently launched GoodtoKnowFacts.org to aid consumers in understanding product ingredients while balancing public health and consumer choice.
Americans for Ingredient Transparency is now calling for a national law on ingredient transparency. Julie Gunlock emphasized the trust families must have in the products they use, stating, “Families need common sense and scientifically backed transparency they can rely on.”
Koenig reiterated the straightforward expectation of Americans wanting assurances that the ingredients in their purchases are safe. “This shouldn’t be a hard standard to achieve,” he remarked, suggesting that the current administration is well-positioned to address these needs.
He added, “Our mission is to eliminate confusion and provide clear information. Consumers deserve to know exactly what they are ingesting and using.”
