The Nov. 3 midterm elections handed Democrats control of the House and Senate ahead of the 120th Congress, which convenes in January. The shift could bring renewed attention to proposals affecting dietary supplement oversight, ingredient regulation and consumer access.
A House Democratic working group’s pre-election recommendations included mandatory dietary supplement product listing and changes to the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) framework, giving the industry an early indication of legislation that could receive attention under the new Congress.
The proposals have not been adopted as a formal Democratic caucus agenda, but they touch on issues that already divide dietary supplement trade associations.
Mandatory product listing could return to Congress
The Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2026 (H.R. 8370), included in the working group’s recommendations for the first 100 days of the 120th Congress, would require dietary supplement products to be listed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The recommendations also included the Grocery Reform and Safety Act (H.R. 4958), which would strengthen FDA oversight of substances considered GRAS. The bills’ legislative histories and committee activity can be reviewed through the House committee’s legislative records.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) supports a mandatory supplement registry and sees an opportunity to advance the proposal alongside other legislative priorities.
“As we look ahead to the new Congress, CRN is optimistic about opportunities to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to advance policies that support a strong, responsible dietary supplement marketplace,” Julia Gustafson, vice president of government relations at CRN, told NutraIngredients.
She added that “the critical issues such as expanding consumer access to supplements through FSAs and HSAs, establishing regulatory uniformity, modernizing drug preclusion and establishing a mandatory supplement registry all offer meaningful opportunities for bipartisan cooperation.”
The Natural Products Association (NPA), however, remains opposed to mandatory product listing.
“It does come down to policy and not politics...and I think that’s critical, especially when we look at things like MPL, which by and large, I don’t think anyone in the industry looks at as a particularly good policy,” Dr. Daniel Fabricant, president and CEO of NPA, told NI, pointing to expanded access to supplements through FSAs and HSAs as a more promising area for agreement.
He also expects the upcoming prescription drug user fee reauthorization to provide a possible opening for supplement-related provisions. Similar legislation has previously been considered as a vehicle for mandatory product listing.
“Last time some folks tried to stick MPL on the UFAs [user fee amendments], and we were able to defeat that,” he noted.
The contrasting positions leave mandatory product listing as a potential challenge to industry consensus, even as CRN and NPA identify consumer access through FSAs and HSAs as a shared priority.
Associations stress bipartisan relationships
Other industry groups emphasized maintaining relationships with lawmakers and advancing broader regulatory priorities.
Graham Rigby, president and CEO of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), told NI that the organization would continue its outreach to returning and newly elected members of Congress.
“Every election cycle brings a refreshed legislative landscape and, with it, a valuable opportunity to engage both returning lawmakers and newly elected members of Congress,” he said.
AHPA’s priorities include modernizing the regulatory framework for dietary supplements and herbal products, strengthening oversight and protecting consumer access.
“AHPA regularly meets with members of Congress from both political parties in an effort to forge bipartisan legislative solutions that promote access, safety and innovation for our growing industry.”
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) tied its response to the election to voters’ concerns about affordability.
“Voters sent a clear message that affordability remains a top concern,” Scott Melville, president and CEO of CHPA, told NI. “That concern extends to everyday health needs and reinforces the importance of making sure consumers have access to the safe, effective self-care products they need to care for themselves and their families.”
He noted that the change in congressional control would not alter CHPA’s approach.
“The political landscape in Washington will look different next year, but CHPA’s commitment remains the same: continue working across the aisle to advance responsible, science-based policies that protect consumers and expand access to self-care,” he said.
State legislation adds another priority
Alongside the changes in Washington, associations are watching developments in state legislatures, where supplement-related proposals have become an increasing focus of industry advocacy.
Gustafson said CRN was paying particular attention to states where one party controls the governor’s office and both legislative chambers.
“We are also increasingly watching the States, especially where one party controls their House, Senate and governor’s spot. As States get more active in issues affecting the supplement industry, we’ll be increasing our presence to make sure our members’ interest are well represented.”
CRN has identified regulatory uniformity as a priority as states consider their own requirements affecting dietary supplements.
AHPA also intends to work with state legislators while maintaining its congressional advocacy.
“As we prepare to work with the 120th United States Congress in the same manner as well as with state legislators across the country, including those elected yesterday, we look forward to continuing our engagement on both sides of the aisle to advance sensible policies, enhance oversight mechanisms and protect consumer access to safe, high-quality dietary supplements and herbal products,” Rigby said.
NPA focuses on congressional outreach
The new Congress will also require associations to establish relationships with incoming lawmakers and their staff.
Dr. Fabricant said NPA would continue organizing congressional meetings, facility visits and its annual fly-in, which brought members to more than 240 congressional offices during last year’s event.
He stressed the importance of congressional committee staff, particularly those working on health, commerce and tax issues, and said younger lawmakers may already be familiar with dietary supplements as consumers even if they have limited knowledge of the industry’s regulatory history.
NPA plans to continue educating lawmakers on issues including GRAS, new dietary ingredients and the definition of dietary ingredients.
Dr. Fabricant said relationships across party lines would remain essential regardless of changes in committee leadership.
“We need people. We need champions on both sides of the aisle,” he said. “We always have had that. We’re going to continue to need that if we’re going to be successful going forward.”
