News

On Aug. 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced two actions regarding federal oversight of food ingredients. HHS issued a proposed rule requiring manufacturers to notify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when concluding that the use of a substance added to human or animal food is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and, alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), submitted for final review the federal government’s first proposed definition of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Monday, September 14, 2026 | 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm ET

With the FDA's Food Traceability Rule relating to Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) scheduled to go into effect on July 20, 2028, now is the time to prepare. Join six convenience distribution leaders for a panel discussion highlighting different flexible options for implementing the food traceability rule and real-life examples of what distributors should be and are doing now to prepare for compliance. Read more here.

On Aug. 8, 2026, the Senate voted 90–6 to pass a continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government through Dec. 11, 2026. The CR includes a delay of a federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products that was set to go into effect in November. The temporary extension leaves Congress with several months to determine whether to implement the ban, further delay it or establish a new regulatory framework for hemp-derived THC products. Following the vote, the Senate adjourned for recess until Sept. 14, 2026.

The House passed a clean CR - H.R.9770 - on July 21, 2026, without anomalies, by a vote of 220-205, extending government funding through Dec. 4, 2026. The House is currently scheduled to return from recess on Aug. 31, 2026. However, the House’s return date is expected to be pushed back to align with the Senate’s schedule. Upon returning, the House and Senate will need to reconcile their respective CRs to avoid a government shutdown. Read more here.

On Aug. 10, 2026, Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH) introduced the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act. The bill gives Congress a targeted framework that protects children, provides regulatory certainty and allows responsible hemp beverage companies to operate under clear standards. Read more here.

There is still time to enroll in the second cohort of the CDA Business Academy – a 16-week virtual education program designed for emerging, rising leaders and middle managers in the convenience products distribution industry. Open to all CDA members, the program's self-paced curriculum focuses on people management and business finance.

The program will run from Aug. 20 through Dec. 3, with live sessions held every third Thursday. Space is limited – register now to secure your spot by August 14.

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future leaders. Click here to learn more or contact Lauren Herbert for further details.

The Senate's continuing resolution (CR) extending government funding includes a provision that would delay the federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, 2026, giving lawmakers additional time to consider a regulatory approach. The proposal has drawn opposition from a bipartisan coalition of 35 state attorneys general, who argue the delay would allow intoxicating hemp products to continue exploiting the "hemp loophole" created by the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp industry organizations welcomed the provision and urged Congress to pass the Senate funding bill. The House-passed spending bill does not include the delay, and Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) has pledged to introduce an amendment to remove it from the Senate measure. The underlying law redefines legal hemp to limit products to 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. Read more here.

On July 31, 2026, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) released revised legislative text for Farm Bill 2.0, the Agricultural Act of 2026, and announced the updated bill will be marked up on Aug. 6, 2026. The updated bill includes new language authorizing year-round sales of E15 and extending the timeline for states to comply with new federal requirements for SNAP benefit recipients.

Congress is expected to enact a short-term extension of federal surface transportation programs through Dec. 11, 2026, as part of a continuing resolution (CR) to prevent transportation authorities from expiring at the end of the fiscal year while lawmakers continue negotiating a long-term highway bill. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a $580 billion, five-year reauthorization measure in May, but the bill has not yet been scheduled for a House floor vote, and the Senate has not released its own proposal. As a result, Congress is increasingly expected to rely on a temporary extension to avoid disruptions to federal transportation programs while work on a comprehensive reauthorization continues. Read more here.

On Aug. 3, 2026, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced that he has opened an investigation into the Trump administration's interactions with Reynolds American, Botanic Tonics and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The inquiry seeks information about reported communications and policy decisions related to flavored e-cigarettes and kratom products. Read more here.

On Aug. 4, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing of four new nicotine pouch products through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway: Rich Berry 2 mg, Cappuccino 2 mg, Cappuccino 4 mg, and Autumn Spice 2 mg. The authorized products, made by Helix Innovations LLC, are sold under the “on!” brand name. Read more here.

CDA Business Academy returns for its second year – a 16-week virtual education program designed for emerging, rising leaders and middle managers in the convenience products distribution industry. Open to all CDA members, the program's curriculum focuses on people management and business finance.

The second cohort will run from Aug. 20 through Dec. 3, with live sessions held every third Thursday. Space is limited – register now to secure your spot by July 31.

Ready to invest in your future leaders? Click here to learn more or contact Lauren Herbert for further details.

August 19, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET

Register now for this popular webinar featuring Ajay Yadagiri and Paul Grubbs, senior vice presidents of Management Science Associates. They will discuss what is happening in the nicotine industry, including current trends and other interesting insights for wholesalers and retailers.

Can’t attend the webinar on August 19? Still register to attend and you’ll receive a recording of the webinar directly to your inbox on August 20. Contact Lauren Herbert with any questions.

Loews Arlington Hotel
Arlington, TX
February 22-24, 2027

Exhibit space is selling fast. Register online today!

Register now to increase your opportunity of being assigned a preferred booth location through the CDA priority point system. The CDA priority point system expires July 31. Exhibit space is assigned on a first-come first-served basis after July 31.

Marketplace brings together distributors with their top trading partners and suppliers over a three-day period, featuring:

• a one-day turnkey trade show
• focused education sessions
• distributor showcase
• and networking opportunities

Attendee registration opens in September.

By exhibiting at Marketplace 2027, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers and Exhibitor Terms & Conditions.

On July 30, 2026, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a markup of several health and education related bills and plans to vote on pending agency nominations, including Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor. Sonderling is expected to advance out of Committee to the full Senate.

In last week's Convenience Distribution News, we shared that CDA, NATO, NACS and EMA sent a letter to Mastercard regarding its recent enforcement actions against retailers selling certain electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products. Mastercard threatened to issue substantial fines to retailers selling ENDS products that are not among the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) currently authorized products, even though many of these products are covered by pending PMTAs. On July 27, 2026, Mastercard responded, “In light of additional information being provided to Mastercard regarding the acquirers’ specific merchant customers – we have decided to temporarily pause any assessments to provide customers additional time to execute their remediation plans and ensure compliance.” CDA will continue to monitor this issue and encourages Mastercard to permanently eliminate the assessment.

Numeral is a sales tax and exemption certificate compliance platform for direct-to-consumer brands and wholesale distributors. The company automates the full compliance lifecycle — nexus tracking, registration, filing, remittance and exemption certificate management — across all U.S. jurisdictions and global VAT obligations.

Contact information for Numeral is as follows:

Nia Gorbunova
nia@numeralhq.com
Numeral
301 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
https://www.numeral.com/

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced additional updates to the Center for Tobacco Products Portal Next Generation (CTP Portal NextGen). With the rollout of these new features, the FDA is also announcing that it will phase out the use of eSubmitter forms for PMTA and SE submissions. Read more here.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) told reporters last week that a markup of the Senate farm bill draft is on its way but noted that he’s waiting for Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) return to Congress. McConnell, a member of the panel, has been absent since his hospitalization last month. Read more here.

On July 22, 2026, Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced a bill designed to set up a clear regulatory framework for hemp and hemp-derived THC products. The Lawful Hemp Protection Act would establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp products. The bill would modernize federal hemp policy by establishing clear rules for producers, processors, retailers and consumers; and would preserve states’ ability to enact stricter regulations while ensuring lawful interstate commerce for compliant hemp products. Read more here.

On July 16, 2026, a group of Democratic Senators reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), comprehensive legislation that would end federal prohibition of cannabis by removing cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances and empowering states to create their own laws. A summary of the bill can be found here.

CDA recently joined NACS, NATO and EMA in sending a letter to Mastercard regarding its recent enforcement actions against retailers selling certain Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) products. In recent months, Mastercard has issued substantial fines to some retailers for selling ENDS products that are not among the FDA's currently authorized products, even though many of those products are covered by pending premarket tobacco applications (PMTAs) and fall under the FDA's current enforcement discretion policy. The group urged Mastercard to revise its policy on ENDS sales to clarify that products marketed in accordance with the FDA's May 8, 2026, enforcement guidance - and in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local requirements - may continue to be sold while the FDA completes its review of the pending PMTAs. In addition, the group sent a letter to Global Payments Inc. regarding its recent communication directing merchants to review vape/ENDS-related products and remove unapproved ENDS products. CDA will continue advocating for practical, consistent regulatory policies on behalf of our members and will provide updates as this issue develops.

On July 21, 2026, the House voted 220-205 to pass a stopgap funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), through Dec. 4, 2026, in an effort to avert a potential government shutdown before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. Senate Republicans and Democrats are expected to make changes to the House stopgap that would require the House to vote again on the CR after it returns from its summer break on Aug. 31, 2026. Read more here.