HB 1004 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Public Health - Prohibited Ingredients in Food

HB 1004 prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale in Maryland of food containing specific ingredients, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red 3 dye. It also bans any food ingredient prohibited by federal law under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. The law applies directly to food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors operating in Maryland. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties of up to $10,000 or one year in jail for first offenses, with higher penalties for repeat violations. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2027.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Last action Mar 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Public Health - Prohibited Ingredients in Food → Third - Public Health - Prohibited Ingredients in Food · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill expanded its sponsor list to include additional delegates and added committee approval and adoption status. The core prohibitions on brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red 3 remain unchanged, but the bill now explicitly includes any ingredient prohibited by federal law. The civil penalty amount was increased from $5,000 to $25,000 for repeat offenders, and the effective date was set for July 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on prohibiting specific food ingredients, but the enforcement penalties were strengthened for repeat violators.

ELIGIBILITY

Added additional sponsors to the bill including Bagnall, Cullison, Hutchinson, S. Johnson, Kaufman, M. Morgan, Reilly, Rosenberg, Ross, Szeliga, and Woorman.

TECHNICAL

Added committee report showing favorable approval with amendments and adoption by the House.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased civil penalty for repeat violations from $5,000 to $25,000 and added potential imprisonment up to 3 years for repeat offenders.

REQUIREMENT

Added clause prohibiting any ingredient that is banned by federal FDA regulations or other federal laws.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the law to July 1, 2027.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

134–0

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 142

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic103

98 Yea 5

95% Yea

R Republican39

36 Yea 3

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Mar 5, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-8)

house of delegates

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health

lower

20 primary · 0 co-sponsors