119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 8412
This bill directs the Food and Drug Administration to revise regulations governing beverages marketed for toddlers ages 12 to 36 months to prevent consumer confusion with infant formula. Specifically, the FDA must prohibit beverages for children over 12 months from being labeled as "infant formula" and require milk-based and non-dairy beverages intended for toddlers to use clear descriptive names such as "milk-based drink" or "soy-based drink," with added qualifiers like "sweetened" or "flavored" if applicable. All such beverages must include prominent warnings against serving to infants under 12 months and statements that these products are not recommended for children ages 12 to 24 months and are not necessary for a healthy diet. The FDA has one year from enactment to propose the new regulations and two years to finalize them, with compliance required three years after the law takes effect. No specific funding is authorized in the bill.