On March 31, 2026, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published the “Priority Research, Data, and Methods Needs” for its Human Foods Program (HFP), which, “if fulfilled, will help the FDA better understand the underlying factors that may cause or contribute to health risks from HFP regulated products.”
The HFP oversees all FDA activities related to the safety and nutrition of food, focusing on evidence-based approaches to microbiological food safety, food chemical safety, and nutrition to “ensure that food is a source of wellness for all US consumers” (FPF reported).
The list of needs aims to inform scientists about current data gaps identified where research could help improve the safety of the US food supply. Specifically, it highlights the scientific infrastructure needed to make the policy and regulatory actions outlined in the HFP’s 2026 priority deliverables (FPF reported).
The priority list includes key research topics related to the health impact of food contact materials and targets per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, nanoparticles, chemical screening, hazard identification, and contamination prevention, among other topics.
PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used industrially and for consumer applications, including food contact materials, because of their ability to resist oil, heat, and water. However, these synthetic chemicals are persistent and bioaccumulative and have been associated with serious health effects (FPF reported and here). The HFP’s list of needs includes identifying sources of PFAS in the food system, as well as monitoring PFAS levels in different foods to determine whether interventions and mitigation techniques are working. To help enforce PFAS regulation, the list also includes the need to develop methods for monitoring the use of grease-proofing agents containing PFAS in food packaging (FPF reported).
Microplastics and nanoparticles
Like PFAS, exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics has been associated with negative health effects (FPF reported). Potential exposure routes include food contact articles (FPF reported), drinking water (FPF reported), and bioaccumulation through the food chain.
The HFP’s list of needs focuses on developing methods, including microscopy approaches, to differentiate standard single and mixed polymers of microplastics in solution and to differentiate microplastics from endogenous materials in food. For nanoparticles, studies should focus on determining the impact of different particle characteristics on migration, including from packaging materials.
Chemical screening, hazard identification, and contamination prevention
More generally, the HFP outlined that screening and detection approaches are needed to understand the current risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals. In particular, the list includes the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs), or in vitro assays to screen chemicals of concern for neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity without using animals. Another priority area is elucidating the mechanisms of action of chemical contaminants from food in the human body. To prevent contamination, there is a need to identify effective manufacturing processes that reduce chemical hazards in FDA regulated products.
Funding boost for the HFP
The US government has made it clear that the work within the HFP is a priority. In 2027, the FDA will be one of the few non-defense agencies in the US to receive a funding increase rather than a cut, as reported by Terry Hyland at Chemical Watch News & Insight. Almost half of the FDA’s $232 million budget increase will be dedicated to the HFP. According to the 2027 fiscal year budget, nearly $25 million is earmarked to remove “harmful chemicals” from food, including closing the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) loophole (FPF reported). Despite featuring prominently in the “Priority Research, Data, and Methods Needs”, PFAS received very little attention in the FDA’s budget request.
References
US Food & Drug Administration (March 31, 2026). “HFP Priority Research, Data, and Method Needs.”
Department of Health and Human Services (April 3, 2026). “Budget Fiscal Year 2027 Food and Drug Administration.” (pdf)
Read more
Kelly Franklin (April 8, 2026). “US FDA highlights food contact data gaps among research priorities.” Chemical Watch News & Insight.
Terry Hyland (April 8, 2026). “US FDA foods programme would see funding boost under White House budget.” Chemical Watch News & Insight.
