To direct the Federal Trade Commission to conduct an investigation and submit to Congress a report on unfair or deceptive acts or practices that may be prevalent in the advertising or marketing of preterm infant formula and to issue regulations to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices related to the advertising or marketing of preterm infant formula, and for other purposes.

On July 27, 2026, Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) introduced HR9969, which directs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate unfair or deceptive acts in the advertising or marketing of preterm infant formula and to issue regulations prohibiting such practices. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and has one cosponsor, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). At this early stage, the bill is procedural: it mandates a study and report to Congress, followed by potential rulemaking. No funding is authorized or appropriated. The mechanism is purely regulatory—the FTC would define and enforce standards for preterm formula marketing. The obligated parties are formula manufacturers and advertisers, but the bill does not name specific companies or products. Major infant formula makers include Abbott Laboratories ($ABT), Reckitt Benckiser (private), and Nestlé (OTC: NSRGY), but the bill's impact on their revenue is speculative until the FTC issues rules. Given the early stage, no causal chain can be drawn with confidence above 0.65. The legislative path requires committee hearings, markup, floor votes in both chambers, and presidential action—a process that typically takes months to years. No convergence signals were provided. The impact score is 2, reflecting the bill's procedural status and lack of direct market implications.