Making America Healthier with Year-Round Access to Foods Built for Real Life
AFFI’s Policy Recommendations to the MAHA Commission
Frozen food plays an essential role in meeting the objectives of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. By using freezing as nature’s pause button, frozen food makers can lock in nutrition of farm-fresh produce and just-cooked meals. Listed below are AFFI’s recommendations to the MAHA Commission that capitalize on the power of frozen to advance public health. Full details are available here.
Increase the Availability of Frozen Foods in Federal Nutrition Programs
AFFI recommends including frozen fruits, vegetables, proteins, legumes, and grains alongside fresh in federal feeding and nutrition incentive programs to improve variety, year-round access, and cost efficiency.
Recognize Frozen Foods in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
AFFI advocates that the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognizes frozen foods as nutritionally aligned with healthy eating patterns and that frozen foods are nutrient-dense meal options.
Require Mandatory GRAS Notification
AFFI recommends FDA require formal notification for all new GRAS ingredients to boost transparency and consumer trust.
Include Frozen Foods in Future MAHA and Senior Food Boxes
AFFI advocates including frozen foods in future MAHA-branded food boxes and Commodity Supplemental Food Program boxes to improve nutrition and convenience.
Include Frozen Foods in Medically Tailored Meal Programs
AFFI recommends frozen foods be part of medically tailored meal initiatives, GLP-1 compliant diets, and healthcare food-as-medicine pilot programs.
Mandate Frozen Produce in All State WIC Packages
AFFI advocates requiring the inclusion of frozen fruits and vegetables in all state WIC packages to maximize Cash Value Benefit impact.
Authorize Frozen Foods for FSAs and HSAs
AFFI recommends requiring frozen foods as eligible purchases through FSAs, HSAs, and related medically tailored grocery programs.
Highlight Frozen’s Role in Reducing Food Waste
AFFI advocates promoting frozen foods for their ability to extend shelf life and reduce waste.
Expand Cold Storage Infrastructure
AFFI recommends prioritizing funding to grow cold storage and freezer capacity nationwide to allow more consumers to access nutritious foods.
Prioritize Research on Naturally Occurring Chemical Contaminants
AFFI supports USDA ARS research into ways to reduce naturally occurring heavy metals in soil to maintain consumer confidence and advance public health objectives.
- Increase the Availability of Frozen Food in Federal Nutrition Programs – AFFI recommends including frozen fruits, vegetables, proteins, legumes, and grains alongside fresh counterparts in federal feeding and nutrition incentive programs to improve variety, year-round access, and cost efficiency.
- Recognize Frozen Food in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – AFFI advocates that the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognize frozen food as nutritionally aligned with healthy eating patterns and that frozen food products are nutrient-dense meal options.
- Require Mandatory GRAS Notification – AFFI recommends FDA require formal notification for all new GRAS substances to boost transparency and consumer trust.
- Include Frozen Food in Future MAHA and Senior Food Boxes – AFFI advocates including frozen foods in future MAHA-branded food boxes and Commodity Supplemental Food Program boxes to improve nutrition and convenience.
- Include Frozen Food in Medically Tailored Meal Programs – AFFI recommends frozen food be part of medically tailored meal initiatives, GLP-1 compliant diets, and healthcare food-as-medicine pilot programs.
- Mandate Frozen Produce in All State WIC Packages – AFFI advocates requiring the inclusion of frozen fruits and vegetables in all state WIC packages to maximize Cash Value Benefit impact.
- Authorize Frozen Food for FSAs and HSAs – AFFI recommends requiring frozen foods as eligible purchases through FSAs, HSAs, and related medically tailored grocery programs.
- Highlight Frozen’s Role in Reducing Food Waste – AFFI advocates promoting frozen food for its ability to extend shelf life and reduce waste.
- Expand Cold Storage Infrastructure – AFFI recommends prioritizing funding to grow cold storage and freezer capacity nationwide to allow more consumers to access nutritious foods.
- Prioritize Research on Naturally Occurring Chemical Contaminants – AFFI supports USDA ARS research into ways to reduce naturally occurring heavy metals in soil to maintain consumer confidence and advance public health objectives.
Advocacy Topics
Food Safety
Advancing food safety is the highest priority for the frozen food supply chain. That’s why AFFI is focused on a wide range of critical food safety issues utilizing a variety of tools, ranging from cooperation and communication with federal law and policymakers to industry education sessions and partnerships.
Learn More »
Labeling
Our member companies proudly produce some of the safest and most nutritious food in the world and strive to provide consumers with accurate information that allows them to make informed choices about the food they eat.
Learn More »
Nutrition
We actively advocate across a diverse spectrum of food nutrition issues, including federal programs and services designed to provide families, mothers, infants and school children with access to affordable and nutritious food options.
Learn More »
Trade
To ensure global economic competitiveness, frozen food and beverage makers rely on the free flow of goods and access to fast-growing economic markets, which allows the industry to procure ingredients and grow its customer base.
Learn More »
