Press Releases

Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Scott Peters (D-CA) today introduced the bipartisan Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act to address growing public health concerns regarding rising childhood obesity rates and diet-related chronic diseases such as diabetes. The legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implement clear nutrient and health warning labels and ban junk food advertisements targeting children. It would also direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand research programs on the health effects of ultra-processed foods and requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lead a national initiative to educate children and families on nutrient warning labels and the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods.

“Today, one in five American children are living with heightened risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other diet-related chronic diseases,” said Rep. Beyer. “Congress must take bold action to protect the health of our youngest citizens. Our legislation would do just that by empowering families with the tools and information they need to make healthier choices while holding the food and beverage industry accountable for targeting our children with unhealthy products.”

“Childhood diabetes is affecting more and more families in our communities, and we have a responsibility to address it with commonsense, bipartisan solutions,” said Rep. Lawler. “I’m proud to be a co-lead of this legislation, which improves transparency in food labeling and gives parents clearer information to help families make informed choices about what their kids consume. Supporting parents with facts, not burdens, is an important part of protecting children’s health and reducing long-term medical costs for families in the Hudson Valley.”

“Childhood obesity has more than tripled over the last four decades, due in large part to ultra-processed and calorie-dense foods marketed to kids," said Rep. Peters. “Families should know exactly what their child is eating without marketing gimmicks or misleading packaging. That’s why I reintroduced the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act, which creates a clear front-of-package labeling requirement for junk foods, stops companies from pushing them on kids, and helps families make informed choices to keep their children healthy.”

“It’s thrilling to see this bill introduced in the House. If passed, this bill would establish the US as a global leader in taking action to promote health for kids,” said Dr. Lindsey Smith Taillie, Professor at the University of North Carolina and Co-Director of the UNC Global Food Research Program. “Scientific evidence shows that front-of-package labels like the ones proposed give parents the information they need to make healthy choices for their children.”

Over the last two decades, the availability and consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods with little nutritional value has increased dramatically and increasing evidence links consumption of these ultra-processed foods to negative health outcomes. According to the CDC, nearly 15 million Americans aged 2-19 years are living with obesity, increasing their risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, asthma, sleep apnea, and other diet-related chronic diseases. A new study led by Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham researchers found that consuming ultra-processed foods increases the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer.

Full text of the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act is available here.