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On Feb. 12, 2026, Sen. Lujan (D-NM) of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026, legislation that bans corporations from leveraging new technologies to increase grocery prices for Americans. Specifically, the bill would prohibit surveillance in grocery stores; require grocery stores to disclose the use of facial recognition technology; ban electronic shelf labels that can be changed remotely in large stores; and establish enforcement mechanisms against violators. See the bill text here.

The Cross-Industry Compensation & Benefits Report is a comprehensive study of compensation and benefits programs at wholesale distribution companies across the U.S. It provides information about executive and employee compensation including salaries, bonuses and commissions, and fringe benefits such as health insurance, retirement programs and time off.

Participate today to gain valuable insights to help strengthen your organization’s compensation practices – the survey is open until March 16.

Participating distributor companies will receive:

• An industry comparison report with results from 1,000+ distributors
• A personalized, company-specific benchmarking report
• Downloadable excel data tables & online access to searchable results
• An executive-ready infographic & on-demand results presentation

Click here for more details or contact Lauren Herbert with any questions.

With its enlightening education sessions, a business-building trade show and a top-level distributor showcase, Convenience Distribution Marketplace 2026 gave industry members ideas and strategies to take home to increase their success.

A highlight of the event was Tuesday evening’s Hall of Fame Dinner, sponsored by The Hershey Company, where members gathered after a full day of learning and relationship-building. A welcome by CDA President and CEO Richard Owen was followed by the much-anticipated announcement of prizes for those members who fully engaged in the day’s events.

To the right, distributors and exhibitors join together to celebrate a successful Marketplace at the Hall of Fame Dinner.

Following remarks from Bill Ray of The Hershey Company, game show host and trivia master Ryan Budds led the crowd in several rounds of trivia to test everyone’s knowledge about football and The Hershey Company. He also challenged members with fun tasks to win prizes. Who knew that performing the robot or reciting the alphabet backwards could mean winning big at Marketplace?

After the fun and games, 2026 CDA Chair Andy Plummer, AMCON Distributing Company, spent a few moments recognizing and thanking outgoing Chair Jodi Buckner, Lyons Specialty Co., LLC, for her leadership, vision and hard work during CDA’s leadership transition. He presented keepsakes marking her term, including a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in her honor.

To the left, Richard Owen welcomes members to his first Marketplace event as CDA president and CEO.

“Serving as chair of CDA in 2025 was one of the most meaningful professional experiences of my career,” Buckner (pictured right) shared. “I’m excited about what lies ahead. CDA’s future is bright.”

The Hall of Fame Dinner lived up to its name when Hugh Raetzsch, Lyons Specialty Co., LLC, announced the induction of Steve Stomel, ProCat Distribution Technologies, into the CDA Hall of Fame. This honor is reserved for those industry members who demonstrate exceptional accomplishments and long-term dedication to CDA’s highest values.

“What makes Steve special isn’t just innovation,” Raetzsch said. “It’s how he works with people.”

Stomel’s family and colleagues joined in a standing ovation to recognize him for his visionary entrepreneurship and commitment to the industry.

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime learning about your businesses and knowing that our machines and software solutions are making your businesses better and bringing profits to your companies,” Stomel (pictured left with family) said from the stage. “Thank you for trusting us to help you.”

Following the dinner and awards, guests headed to the End Zone After Party to enjoy desserts inspired by favorite Hershey treats. Spirited competitions broke out throughout the night as Budds continued to engage members in trivia games and fun challenges.

Marketplace Meets Monday Night Football

The first day of Marketplace concluded with the Opening Drive Reception, where members caught up with old friends and new recruits. Sponsored by Reynolds, heated team rivalries were forgotten as attendees competed for take-home footballs and enjoyed Texas-style brisket and a mac-and-cheese bar.

Texas stars welcome guests to the Opening Drive Reception, sponsored by Reynolds, on Monday evening.	Perfect weather greets (l-r) Scott Worthington, Streamline Group, Inc.; Kyle Tennessen, Holiday Wholesale, Inc.; and Motu Nuuvali, Streamline Group, Inc. at Monday night’s outdoor Opening Drive Reception.
Left to right, Shae Flores, Core-Mark International, Inc.; Nick Redwine, Simply Good Foods Company; Stephanie Shapiro, Core-Mark International, Inc.; and James Newman and Brandon Mayer, Lil' Drug Store Products, renew friendships on the first night of Marketplace.	Spirited matches of football-themed shuffleboard bring fun and fellowship.

Distributor Showcase Returns!

CDA’s popular Distributor Showcase returned as Tuesday’s "Distributor Draft." Distributor members were stationed at tables throughout the room and exhibitors moved among them during a 90-minute free-flowing networking event.

Sponsored by ITG Brands, LLC, the showcase allowed exhibitors to interact with distributors they may not have been able to meet earlier at the Marketplace Trade Show. New this year was a bingo game where exhibitors could fill their cards by learning facts about the distributors they visited. See prize winners below!

An enthusiastic crowd enjoys the “Distributor Draft” on Tuesday.	The Distributor Showcase gives AMCON Distributing Company and SaveMore an additional way to connect.
Doyles Sheehan and Conagra Brands continue their discussions from the Trade Show.	Amanda Wagner of PFSbrands proudly shows off her nearly completed bingo card.

Education Sessions Address Top Concerns

A robust offering of education sessions provided something for everyone at this year’s Marketplace. Some of the most connected and visionary leaders in the industry discussed everything from the state of distribution and economic forecasts to FSMA and smart hiring.

Influential economist Mary Kelly, Ph.D. (picture right), kicked things off by looking carefully at what the volatile headlines and current economy could mean for industry members’ businesses. “Your people need you to manage the uncertainty they are feeling from everything they hear in the news, from their friends and on social media,” she said. “Uncertainty is killing productivity in the workplace. You must lead well.”

Thanks to Altria Group Distribution Company for sponsoring Kelly’s keynote address.

Next, Sally Lyons Wyatt (pictured left) of Circana examined the state of the industry and how changing consumer behaviors affect the convenience distribution channel.

“Seek and find what is percolating out there that might be innovative that you can put into stores,” she suggested. “Stay in tune with viral sensations that bring consumers into c-stores. Find things that will surprise and delight consumers.”

Later that afternoon, the founder of Food Safety Strategy, LLC, Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., joined with CDA President and CEO Richard Owen to address a topic on everyone’s minds—FSMA Section 204(d). As the implementation date draws closer, McEntire and Owen provided critical information about requirements, timelines and practical compliance strategies.

McEntire said her best advice was to get started. “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good,” she said. “Start with what you can do now and keep building on it.”

Tuesday morning’s kickoff session was sponsored by Swisher, and featured Steve Bench’s advice for attracting tomorrow’s talent with today’s leaders. Bench presented how key life events shape each generation’s identity and explained the rationale behind how different generations behave at work and their expectations for employers.

At Tuesday afternoon’s program, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jason O. Harris (pictured right) transfixed the attendees as he related his experiences from flying combat missions to making business decisions under pressure. Sponsored by PMI U.S., Harris challenged members to return to their businesses stronger, sharper and more aligned.

“Leaders must earn the title of leader every single day,” Harris explained. “That’s how you impact cultures and make a difference in the company you lead.”

Education sessions continued on Wednesday morning, when Benj Cohen (pictured left), CEO of Proton.ai, provided a practical playbook for making AI work in distribution.

“As distributors, all of our data is siloed but we need it working together,” said Cohen. “With AI, we have the tools to make use of all of the data we have. Our role will go from executing tasks to managing AI agents, steering them, providing context and making key judgment calls.”

Marketplace’s education offerings wrapped up with a highly anticipated session about warehouse security and safety. Joined by CDA’s Richard Owen, panelists Ross Haynes, Hardec’s, Inc.; Susie Munson, Douglas Companies, Inc.; and Chris Smythers, Merchants Grocery Company, Inc., talked about their personal experiences with warehouse break-ins and product theft.

The panel (pictured right) not only transparently shared their stories but also provided helpful solutions that distributors could take back to their businesses, including using AI-aided security monitoring, developing relationships with local law enforcement, and checking to make sure insurance plans are up to date.

Attendees left with a greater understanding of the issue and ideas for protecting their property and products.

Marketplace Trade Show Connects Trading Parters

The Marketplace Trade Show gave teams a chance to huddle on Tuesday, offering attendees opportunities to interact with current and potential trading partners. From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., an engaged crowd visited booths, enjoyed lunch sponsored by Mars Wrigley, and networked in the PFSbrands-sponsored Touchdown Lounge.

At the lounge, members could drop their completed Passport to Prizes forms in the bin, catch up with industry friends, and sign up for Day on the Hill 2026 with CDA Policy Advisors Tom Briant and Kathee Facchiano.

To the right, Henry's Foods, Inc. meets with Ajinomoto Foods at the Marketplace Trade Show.

According to Matthew Murray of Renfro Supply Company, the networking and educational opportunities are two of the best reasons to attend Marketplace. “Being able to network and learn from others in the industry is so valuable,” he said. “The education sessions provide great information for young people like me who are new to leadership roles.”

David Brinkley of Cheyenne International, LLC agrees that Marketplace is a not-to-be-missed event. “If you are in this industry, it is a must,” he shared. “The networking alone is very valuable, and the education sessions and business opportunities are added bonuses.”

Above, Ziiware Inc. and BTC Wholesale Distributors, Inc. explore new opportunities at the trade show.

While distributors easily navigated through the show, thanks to aisle markers sponsored by Turning Point Brands - National Tobacco Co., they listened for their names to be called for the opportunity to spin the prize wheel at five different times.

The prize wheel traveled to Platinum Sponsor exhibit spaces where winners could spin to win.

To the right, Doyles Sheehan and Jack Link's Protein Snacks discuss business and the year ahead at the Jack Link's booth.

Marketplace Grand Prize Winner

Thanks to Galactic Performance Solutions, all distributor members attending Marketplace were eligible to win a luxurious three-night getaway for two to Secrets Vallarta Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The trip includes three-night accommodations in the all-suite, all-inclusive resort; round-trip airfare; and a choice of spa treatments.

Congratulations to grand prize winner Nanu Pradhan, Texas Wholesale.

To the right (l-r) are Gary Cornwell, Galactic Performance Solutions; Pradhan; 2026 CDA Chair Andy Plummer, AMCON Distributing Company; and CDA President and CEO Richard Owen.

Congratulations, Winners!

Marketplace Prize Wheel Winners

Altria Group Distribution Company’s Danielle Holloway presents Blair Hoelscher of Modern Distributors with a Bose Speaker.	John Prickette of Grocery Supply Company spins to win Beats Headphones, presented by Amy Bucks of The Hershey Company.
Michael D’Amico of BTC Wholesale Distributors, Inc. takes home a Hatch Restore Sunrise Alarm Clock, presented by Danny Jackson of ITG Brands, LLC.	Josh Jones of Andalusia Distributing Company, Inc. wins a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, announced by the PMI U.S. team.
Devin Davis of Reynolds celebrates with Marty Glick from National Convenience Distributors, who won an Acer Portable Monitor.

Passport to Prizes Winners – Each Winner Took Home a $75 Gift Card, presented by CDA's Jenn Finn.

Dayle Stewart, Saint Joe Distributing	Abbey Vantland, SpartanNash
Shae Flores, Core-Mark International, Inc.

Evan Sincavich, Team Sledd, won the “blackout the passport” prize, a Garmin Watch, for securing all stamps on the Passport to Prizes, presented by CDA's Angie Simonetti.

B-I-N-G-O! Kaisa Dahl (center), Sequoia Group; Chandler Childs (not pictured), Atkinson Candy Company; and Aubry Hart (left), The J.M. Smucker Company, took home prizes from the Distributor Draft bingo game.

Marketplace Highlights

The Past Chairs Advisory Council gathers on Tuesday night.	Attendees continue the fun with game show host and trivia master Ryan Budds at Tuesday night's End Zone After Party.
Rick Rodriguez, Zuma & Sons Distributors Corp, receives an Acer Portable Monitor in appreciation of his exceptional dedication creating kids' craft kits for Marketplace Gives Back.	Attendees always look forward to the abundant candy bar, sponsored by The Hershey Company.
Ross Haynes (left), Hardec’s, Inc., and CDA Chair Andy Plummer, AMCON Distributing Company, celebrate the Marketplace Gives Back assembly of more than 1,000 kids’ craft kits for Arlington Charities, Inc.	Exhibitors generously donated leftover products to Arlington Charities, Inc., to support children and families in the greater Arlington area.

Thank You to Our Sponsors
Your Partnership Makes a Difference

 

CDA’s "The Drive to Thrive: CDL Scholarship Program" offers an exciting opportunity for employees of distributor member companies to grow their careers in commercial truck driving. The scholarship program awards ten recipients with up to $5,000 towards their CDL training. CDA Distributor Member Companies in good standing can nominate up to two employees.

Click here to learn more about the program, eligibility, and criteria. Contact Lauren Herbert when you are ready to begin the nominating process.

All applications must be received by March 20, 2026. Contact Lauren Herbert with any questions.

Are you looking to unlock leadership potential? The CDA Leadership Institute, formerly known as the CDA Leadership Academy, offers a transformative hybrid program combining expert coaching, collaborative learning, and real-world applications. Participants will learn to improve team dynamics and cultivate a strategic mindset, all while connecting with like-minded individuals.

The CDA Leadership Institute is designed specifically for CDA members – it is ideal for high-potential employees, new managers and anyone on your team looking to broaden their communications, managerial, financial and leadership skills.

To learn more and reserve a spot, click here or reach out to Lauren Herbert. Don’t miss the opportunity for you or a member of your team to join CDA’s third cohort and take a leadership journey to the next level.

The CDA Distributors Education Foundation awards four annual college scholarships of $5,000 to applicants from distributor member companies in honor of Ray Foley, the late executive vice president of the National Candy Wholesalers Associations.

The Ray Foley Memorial Scholarship is open to CDA distributor member company employees and their immediate family members who are currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Click here for full eligibility requirements and share this flyer with your company employees.

All applications must be received by April 3, 2026. Contact Lauren Herbert for more information.

On Feb. 13, 2025, House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) released the latest draft Farm Bill, titled the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567).” A short overview can be found here, and a title-by-title summary here.

The farm bill, a large package of provisions for agricultural and food programs, has not been enacted since 2018. Since its original expiration in September 2023, Congress has extended its provisions through multiple legislative actions, most recently pushing the expiration date to Sept. 30, 2026.

H.R. 7567 would change laboratory testing standards for state and tribal governments regulating hemp products. State and tribal regulators would have to establish a procedure to test the total tetrahydrocannabinol concentration, or THC, a psychoactive compound in the plant. Current law requires the labs to only test for delta-9 THC. The 2018 farm bill legalized hemp with less than 0.3% of delta-9 THC, leading to the proliferation of intoxicating hemp products and raising concerns about potential health risks. The fiscal 2026 Department of Agriculture/FDA appropriations spending law set a 0.3% limit on total THC content, effectively banning intoxicating hemp products starting in November.

The House Agriculture Committee will markup the draft bill on Feb. 23, 2026. Read more here.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a nomination hearing for Casey Means to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service on Feb. 25, 2026. The original hearing was postponed due to her pregnancy. Read more here.

Join your fellow CDA Distributor members and CDA Staff as we engage with federal officials in Washington, DC for our annual Day on the Hill on May 12-13, 2026.

Distributors will participate in policy briefings, hear from knowledgeable speakers, enjoy networking and have interactive meetings with Members of Congress and their staff who represent their businesses. CDA provides training, materials and support to make the most of all the meetings. View the video to learn more about the program.

Please visit the CDA website to learn more and register by March 31, 2026. Participation is limited; register* today to secure your spot.

For questions, please contact Kathee Facchiano at KFacchiano@capitoldecisions.com.

*Attendees must be 21 or older. Up to two attendees per company; additional as space allows.

W.A. DeHart Inc. is central Pennsylvania's largest wholesale supplier, specializing in paper products, cleaning products, tobacco, candy and commercial-grade machines. The company is formed on family values and excellent customer service. It serves most of central and northeastern Pennsylvania, and helps supply people and businesses with most of their needs.

Contact information for W.A. DeHart Inc. is as follows:

Nihir Patel
support@landventures.llc
W.A. DeHart Inc.
1130 Old Route 15
New Columbia, PA 17856
(800) 443-9765
https://www.wadehartinc.com/index.html

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in cooperation with the Partnership for Food Traceability (PFT), has scheduled a “listening session” on March 6, 2026, regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Section 204(d).

During the listening session, trade associations representing each supply chain sector will share their challenges for implementing lot-level traceability, flexibilities that would help overcome these challenges, and specific solutions for implementing the flexibilities. The sectors that will give presentations to the FDA include: (1) producer/grower/harvester, (2) manufacturer/processor, (3) distributor, (4) retail/grocer, and (5) restaurants.

CDA, along with the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the Minnesota Wholesale Marketers Association, will give a presentation from the distribution segment’s perspective during the FDA listening session.

For additional information and resources on the Food Safety Modernization Act Section 204(d), including CDA webinars on the food traceability regulation and a number of other key informational resources, click here.

On Feb. 2, 2026, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a decision ruling that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to impose civil money penalties (i.e., fines) for tobacco regulation violations is unconstitutional. Specifically, the court held that the civil money penalties violate the U.S. Constitution’s Seventh Amendment, which guarantees the right to a trial by jury. The pending lawsuit was brought by Vaping Dragon LLC against the FDA.

The FDA has the authority to impose civil money penalties on companies, including manufacturers, distributors and retailers, that violate federal tobacco regulations under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This includes selling unauthorized tobacco products or failing to comply with premarket review requirements. The current maximum civil money penalty amount for a single violation relating to tobacco products is $19,192. However, for retailers, the FDA can seek fines of $20,678 for selling unauthorized e-cigarettes. Read more here.

A group of Senate Republicans have alerted the Trump administration that large volumes of illicit Chinese e-cigarettes entering the U.S. pose national security and criminal risks. In a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Feb. 3, 2026, lawmakers said profits from illegal vape products benefit Chinese state-linked entities and could potentially fund military or technological efforts against U.S. interests. They raised concerns that some “smart vapes” can connect to smartphones and may collect data or enable spying. Additionally, the letter noted FinCEN findings linking illicit e-cigarette trade to Mexican cartels using it for trade-based money laundering tied to fentanyl proceeds. While praising Trump-era enforcement actions, the senators urged a broader, coordinated strategy to combat the threat. Read more here.

Congress passed a bipartisan appropriations spending package on Feb. 3, 2026, that funds most federal agencies through the end of the fiscal year in September, ending a partial shutdown that began Jan. 31, 2026. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, was extended only through next week, with a deadline of Feb. 13, 2026, to reach an agreement. Without a deal on immigration enforcement changes, DHS faces another potential funding lapse. Read more here.

The Cross-Industry Compensation & Benefits Report is a comprehensive study of compensation and benefits programs at wholesale distribution companies across the U.S. It provides information about executive and employee compensation including salaries, bonuses and commissions, and fringe benefits such as health insurance, retirement programs and time off.

Participate today to gain valuable insights to help strengthen your organization’s compensation practices – the survey is open until March 16.

Participating distributor companies will receive:

• An industry comparison report with results from 1,000+ distributors
• A personalized, company-specific benchmarking report
• Downloadable excel data tables & online access to searchable results
• An executive-ready infographic & on-demand results presentation

Click here for more details or contact Lauren Herbert with any questions.

Marketplace 2026: Spotlight on Education

Protecting Your Warehouse: Physical Security & Safety
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 9:30 am – 10:45 am CT

Learn from your industry peers about their experiences with real-world challenges and best practices to safeguard your warehouse. In this session moderated by CDA’s President & CEO Richard Owen, distributor panelists Ross Haynes, Susie Munson and Chris Smythers will highlight practical strategies you can bring back to your business to strengthen physical security, prevent theft, and protect your operations from common vulnerabilities. See what else Marketplace Education has to offer in this short video!

Register now! The deadline is fast approaching! (January 30)
Note: The trade show is sold out.
For 2027 exhibiting opportunities, contact eventsupport@cdaweb.net.

Questions? Reach out to eventsupport@cdaweb.net.

Marketplace Website | Distributor Registration
Schedule | Education | Hotel and Travel

By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

Join your fellow CDA Distributor members and CDA Staff as we engage with federal officials in Washington, DC for our annual Day on the Hill on May 12-13, 2026.

Distributors will participate in policy briefings, hear from knowledgeable speakers, enjoy networking and have interactive meetings with Members of Congress and their staff who represent their businesses. CDA provides training, materials and support to make the most of all the meetings. View the video to learn more about the program.

Please visit the CDA website to learn more and register by March 31, 2026. Participation is limited; register* today to secure your spot.

For questions, please contact Kathee Facchiano at KFacchiano@capitoldecisions.com.

*Attendees must be 21 or older. Up to two attendees per company; additional as space allows.

On Jan. 22, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Tobacco Product Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) held a day-long public hearing to consider whether Philip Morris International would be allowed to advertise its Swedish Match Zyn nicotine pouches as a less-harmful alternative for adults who currently smoke cigarettes. The TPSAC is comprised of independent health experts and tobacco industry representatives.

The hearing was held in response to a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) application that Swedish Match USA Inc. filed with the FDA for the company’s 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products. The MRTP application seeks FDA authorization to market the ZYN products with the following modified risk claim: “Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.”

Several days prior to the public hearing, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), Office of Science, published a briefing document which included background on the ZYN MRTP application, the relative health benefits and risks of the Zyn products, and the consumer understanding of the product’s health benefits and risks.

In this briefing document, the CTP concluded the following: “FDA’s preliminary evaluation of the totality of the evidence described above suggests that the proposed modified risk claim ‘Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis’ is scientifically accurate.”

The TPSAC did not vote at the conclusion of the public hearing on whether to recommend that the FDA approve the ZYN MRTP application. The TPSAC is still expected to submit a report and final recommendation to the CTP regarding the ZYN MRTP application. If the FDA approves the ZYN MRTP application, then Philip Morris International would be permitted to use the modified risk claim in ZYN advertisements. Read more here.

On Jan. 23, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Human Foods Program (HFP) released its priority deliverables for 2026, as part of its Make America Healthy Again agenda. While ensuring the safety of the foods they produce is the responsibility of industry, FDA oversees microbiological food safety efforts and strives to ensure that foodborne illness is prevented in the first place. In 2026, HFP will further that goal by prioritizing the following key deliverables related to food traceability and food code and retail program standards:

“Food Traceability: FDA will engage quarterly with stakeholders, and educate covered entities (including farms, restaurants, retail establishments, and warehouses distributing to retail food establishments and restaurants) to ensure that such entities can comply with the Food Traceability Rule by the compliance date. Additionally, HFP will facilitate a tabletop exercise (involving producers, processors, distributors, retailers, and technology partners) to test traceability readiness and will educate stakeholders, including small retailers and restaurants by, among other activities, providing explanatory Q&As to help industry implement traceability measures. Implementation of the Food Traceability Rule will enable FDA and industry to identify and remove contaminated food from the marketplace more quickly.”

“Food Code and Retail Program Standards: The FDA will release an updated Food Code in 2026, providing all levels of government with a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service industries. Local, state, territorial, and tribal regulators use the FDA Food Code as a model to update their own food safety rules and to provide national consistency in food regulatory policy. The forthcoming Food Code update will reflect the latest updates to retail food science, best practices, and current data on retail foodborne outbreaks. In 2026, HFP will also develop a companion Retail Program Standards manual, which is considered the standard in retail food safety program management to help state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies improve their food safety programs.” Read more here.

Congress could face a partial government shutdown at the end of the week due to a dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is jeopardizing a broader bipartisan spending agreement.

About half of federal agencies are funded only through Jan. 30, 2026, and while the House passed a package to fund them through September, its prospects in the Senate are uncertain. Democrats withdrew support for the appropriations package after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti over the weekend by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and are seeking to separate DHS funding from the rest of the package for further negotiation. The overall bill would fund several major departments, including Defense, Health and Human Services, Transportation, State, and Treasury, in addition to DHS. Democrats argue the DHS funding does not sufficiently limit ICE activities, despite provisions cutting border funding, reducing detention capacity, and adding money for body cameras and de-escalation training. Senate Republicans have begun procedural steps toward a vote later this week and oppose splitting the bill, warning that further delays could trigger a shutdown. The White House has expressed support for the negotiated package and urged Congress to pass it as agreed. Read more here.

CDA's Richard Owen, president & CEO, and Jenn Finn, senior director of member engagement, marketing and sales, were hosted last week at JUUL Labs, Inc.'s Washington, D.C. office. The meeting included discussions on issues that are challenging the industry and opportunities for continued engagement and collaboration in 2026.

Thank you to JUUL for hosting and for their time and commitment to the industry!

To the right (l-r) are Jenn Finn, CDA; Mary-Sumpter Lapinski, head of U.S. government affairs, Patricia Barry, VP of strategic distribution, JUUL; Richard Owen, CDA; Gregg Augustine, SVP and general manager, and K.C. Crosthwaite, chairman and CEO, JUUL.