Warning Labels Could Be Placed On Certain Foods & Drinks In Texas

The battle over food dyes and different things that are used in some of our foods has been a talking point across the country, but it seems to have taken an entirely different life in Texas.

Earlier this year, a bill was introduced to lawmakers that would require companies to place warning labels on foods they sell in Texas if they contained any of the ingredients deemed "not recommended for human consumption."

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What Is The Bill Introduced In Texas

Senate Bill 25, or SB 25, is a bipartisan bill that was drafted and put in front of lawmakers of Texas, and it seems to have some serious support behind it.

According to the bill title, it states it is:

(r)elating to health and nutrition standards to promote healthy living, including requirements for food labeling, primary and secondary education, higher education, and continuing education for certain health care professionals; authorizing a civil penalty.

 

Is It Illegal To Use These Ingredients

That's why this is such a hot topic. The ingredients being used are not illegal in the United States, and many food companies will use them to add flavor or preserve the food we purchase. So they're very prevalent in many of the foods and drinks we consume.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. created the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, and what this Texas bill has inside it aligns exactly with what he is trying to achieve.

What's In Texas Senate Bill 25 Concerning Food Labels

The labels would have to be placed on any foods that contain the ingredients they deem not recommended for human consumption. Now, there is a laundry list of different ingredients, but there will be more of a focus on certain ones.

Ingredients such as food dyes, sweeteners, bleached flour, preservatives, and oils would end up drawing the food label warning on the packaging if this were to pass through.

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What Food Would Be Affected In Texas

The list of food items and drinks that would be affected isn't exactly shocking, but it is also stuff that is consumed daily and in relatively large quantities.

Items such as Doritos, Ruffles, Lay's Potato Chips, and even microwave popcorn would be affected by the label. Certain candies, such as Sour Patch Kids, M&M's, and Skittles, would have to be labeled. Cereals such as Fruit Loops and Cap'n Crunch would also see a label.

Other items such as snack cakes like Twinkies, cookies such as Oreo's, frozen dinners, some breads, instant noodles, and processed meats such as hot dogs would all draw a label as well.

Are There Drinks That Would Be Affected In Texas

Indeed, there are, and the list of them again isn't surprising, but they are some of the more popular drinks that we would see draw a label.

My favorite soda, Mountain Dew, was specifically named as one of them. Gatorade made the list, as did fruit juice drinks such as Hawaiian Punch, Juicy Juice, and Capri Sun, which would all draw a warning label in Texas.

Has The Bill Already Passed In Texas

It has already been unanimously passed through the Texas Senate, which isn't surprising since it's a bipartisan bill, meaning both the Republican and Democratic parties worked on it together.

The bill is currently sitting on Gov. Greg Abbott's desk awaiting his signature. There is no indication yet as to whether he will sign it.