The Obama Administration’s robust use of executive authority on issues related to food labeling, food safety, and nutrition continue to position these issues as a priority for the remainder of the President’s term in office. This is evidenced by the national action plan on combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food-producing animals and effort to update and simplify Federal oversight of biotechnology products, as well as by the release of guidelines for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program and ban on trans fats by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

On Capitol Hill, the House and Senate appear poised to take action on food and nutrition-related issues, whether it is through newly re-introduced legislation on the labeling of bioengineered foods, or debate on the funding and organization of federal food safety and nutrition programs.