Shoppers in Texas could soon see warning labels on familiar snacks and drinks such as Doritos and Mountain Dew. A new bipartisan bill passed by the state legislature would require products containing certain controversial ingredients to carry a label stating they include substances “not recommended for human consumption.” Governor Greg Abbott has yet to announce whether he will sign the bill into law.
The proposed law, known as the “Make Texas Healthy Again” bill, would take effect in 2027. It targets more than 40 food additives and ingredients that have been banned or restricted in countries like Australia, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. These include bleached flour, artificial dyes, specific sweeteners, oils, and preservatives such as Olestra—a fat substitute once popular in the 1990s.
If signed, the law would mandate a label reading:
“WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authorities in Australia, Canada, the European Union or the United Kingdom.”
The label would apply not only to chips, candy, and soda but also to items like breakfast cereals, snack cakes, cookies, beverages, frozen meals, and processed meats.
Though Texas is a Republican-led state known for limited regulation, the bill has gained support from both parties and aligns with national health initiatives. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who backs the federal “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, has endorsed the Texas measure. The bill also follows a move by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban several synthetic food dyes earlier this year.
However, food industry groups are pushing back. In a letter to Texas lawmakers in May, manufacturers argued that U.S. national standards should take precedence and questioned the idea of using international regulations as a benchmark. They warned the policy could disrupt access to everyday food items and lead to higher prices.
If the bill becomes law, food companies might decide to update their labels nationwide rather than create Texas-specific packaging. The policy could also encourage wider use of healthier ingredients, as seen earlier in 2025 when natural food dyes replaced banned synthetic ones.
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