This proactive decision by the FDA aligns squarely with broader administrative efforts by the Trump Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to alleviate bureaucratic burdens and enhance transparency within the regulatory framework. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. underscored that eliminating these anachronistic regulations will ultimately better serve American families. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., further elaborated, noting that while these standards historically played a role in ensuring uniformity and preventing fraud, many have simply outlived their purpose and may even impede crucial food innovation.

The revocation process is multifaceted, encompassing a direct final rule for 11 specific types of canned fruits and vegetables that are no longer commercially available in U.S. grocery stores. Additionally, the FDA has issued proposed rules targeting 18 types of dairy products and 23 other food categories, including various bakery items, macaroni, and food dressings. Many of these older standards predated modern consumer protections, such as stringent requirements for ingredient safety, transparent labeling, and comprehensive nutrition information, which are now standard.

This initiative follows directly from a Request for Information issued by HHS and FDA on May 13. The aim of this request was to actively identify and pinpoint outdated regulations that no longer serve their intended purpose. The entire process is firmly rooted in supporting President Trump’s Executive Order 14192, titled “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,” emphasizing a strategic push towards reducing regulatory red tape across various sectors of the food industry.