And we know it. That Subway bread you ate last week? Ireland legally classifies it as cake because of its sugar content. Our shelves are filled with dyes, additives, and synthetic preservatives banned across Europe. Why? Because our food policy isn’t driven by health — it’s driven by profit.

We’ve handed over our food supply to cost-cutting manufacturers and lobbyists who want to keep us addicted, sick, and coming back. If you’ve ever read the back of a fruit snack box and felt like you were decoding a chemical spill, you already know something’s wrong.

So let’s stop pretending we need to reinvent the wheel.

The C.H.E.A.T. Act — Copying Healthy European Approaches Transparently — proposes something bold in its simplicity: we adopt the EU’s proven food safety and labeling standards, wholesale. No debating, no diluting, no corporate carveouts. Just copy their homework — because in this case, it’s the smartest thing we could do.

I don’t take joy in copying another country’s work. But I do take joy in kids not developing fatty liver disease at age 12. Let’s be honest: the EU has already done the hard work of regulating junk out of the food supply. They’ve banned toxic dyes. They’ve required clear labeling. And it’s working.

If our government refuses to lead, it’s time we follow someone who already has.

SECTION 1. Title

This Act may be cited as the “Copying Healthy European Approaches Transparently Act” or the “C.H.E.A.T. Act.”

SECTION 2. PURPOSE

To protect public health by adopting the European Union’s food additive and labeling standards in full, without modification, as a means of reducing obesity, metabolic disease, and consumer misinformation in the United States.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

European Food Standards: Refers to regulations and rulings set forth by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as of January 1, 2026, including additive bans, ingredient labeling, and front-of-package warnings.

Additive: Any substance added to food products during manufacturing, including artificial dyes, preservatives, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers, and sweeteners.

Labeling Standards: Requirements for ingredient disclosure, nutrition warnings, front-of-package alerts, and marketing restrictions as defined by EFSA.

SECTION 4. ADOPTION OF EU STANDARDS

1. The FDA shall adopt the full list of prohibited additives and labeling regulations from the European Food Safety Authority by July 1, 2027.
2. Any additive banned in the EU as of January 2026 shall be considered banned in the United States unless granted exemption via public health review.
3. Labeling requirements will include front-of-package warnings for high-sugar, high-sodium, and ultra-processed foods, following EFSA-style iconography and disclosure formats.
4. Any food product containing ingredients not permitted under EFSA rules must be reformulated, relabeled, or removed from shelves by January 1, 2029.

SECTION 5. BAN ON INDUSTRY INTERFERENCE

No U.S.-based food corporation, trade group, or lobbyist may participate in the EU adoption review process. This is not a negotiation. It is a health policy transfer.

SECTION 6. PUBLIC EDUCATION

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall launch a public education campaign to explain the adopted standards, ingredient bans, and updated food labels.

SECTION 7. ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES

Violations of this Act will result in:

• Up to $1 million in fines per product line, per month of noncompliance.
• Mandatory recall of noncompliant products.
• Public disclosure of violating companies and ingredients.

SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

• July 1, 2026 – Begin regulatory transition.
• July 1, 2027 – EU standards adopted by FDA.
• January 1, 2029 – Full compliance required.

SECTION 9. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions shall remain in full effect.

I’m not a lawyer, and this isn’t finalized legislative language — but I’m also not waiting around for someone else to write what’s clearly overdue. We need more single issue, readable bills.

These are serious drafts from someone running for Congress who believes voters deserve more than slogans and vague promises. And yes, once elected, I’ll work with the Office of Legislative Counsel, the Congressional Research Service, and policy experts to refine every section into fully enforceable law. That’s what they’re there for.

But make no mistake — the intent, urgency, and direction are already here.