Texas Proposes Warning Labels for Food Products Containing Banned Ingredients Elsewhere
Proposed legislation mandates labeling for products with components restricted in other countries, facing opposition from food manufacturers.
A proposed bill in Texas aims to require food manufacturers to label products sold in the state with warnings if they contain ingredients banned or restricted in other nations.
The legislation, Senate Bill 25, would take effect in 2027 and mandates clear labeling stating "not recommended for human consumption" for products containing certain artificial ingredients and additives such as bleached flour and artificial food colorings.
The bill would impact significant food manufacturers, including General Mills and PepsiCo, the latter known for brands like Doritos and Mountain Dew.
General Mills produces products containing bleached flour, while PepsiCo incorporates artificial colors in its beverages.
In addition to food labeling, the bill also includes provisions related to physical education and healthy eating initiatives in schools.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott now holds the decision-making power regarding the bill’s enactment.
Support for the legislation has come from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an influential health advocate known for his skepticism towards vaccines, who argues that the labeling aligns with his "Make America Healthy Again" campaign.
He has called for a ban on artificial colors, additives, and certain oils, citing concerns over their link to increased cancer rates, inflammatory bowel diseases, allergic reactions, and child hyperactivity.
In response to the proposed legislation, several food manufacturers have formally requested that the Texas legislature remove the warning label requirement from the bill.
Industry representatives argue that such regulation would destabilize local and regional economies and could restrict access to food products amid current economic uncertainties.
John Hewitt, vice president of the Consumer Brands Association, which represents American food manufacturers, highlighted the industry's commitment to enhancing ingredient transparency but urged the governor to veto the bill.
If passed, this legislation could mark a significant shift in Texas, a state traditionally characterized by its lenient regulatory environment concerning food production and labeling.
The legislation, Senate Bill 25, would take effect in 2027 and mandates clear labeling stating "not recommended for human consumption" for products containing certain artificial ingredients and additives such as bleached flour and artificial food colorings.
The bill would impact significant food manufacturers, including General Mills and PepsiCo, the latter known for brands like Doritos and Mountain Dew.
General Mills produces products containing bleached flour, while PepsiCo incorporates artificial colors in its beverages.
In addition to food labeling, the bill also includes provisions related to physical education and healthy eating initiatives in schools.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott now holds the decision-making power regarding the bill’s enactment.
Support for the legislation has come from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an influential health advocate known for his skepticism towards vaccines, who argues that the labeling aligns with his "Make America Healthy Again" campaign.
He has called for a ban on artificial colors, additives, and certain oils, citing concerns over their link to increased cancer rates, inflammatory bowel diseases, allergic reactions, and child hyperactivity.
In response to the proposed legislation, several food manufacturers have formally requested that the Texas legislature remove the warning label requirement from the bill.
Industry representatives argue that such regulation would destabilize local and regional economies and could restrict access to food products amid current economic uncertainties.
John Hewitt, vice president of the Consumer Brands Association, which represents American food manufacturers, highlighted the industry's commitment to enhancing ingredient transparency but urged the governor to veto the bill.
If passed, this legislation could mark a significant shift in Texas, a state traditionally characterized by its lenient regulatory environment concerning food production and labeling.
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