① Texas, USA is about to pass a bill that requires warning labels for specific additive components on product packaging for items like Skittles and Mountain Dew; ② The bill lists 44 categories of additive components, including synthetic food coloring and bleached flour, requiring that starting in 2027, if any food sold in Texas contains these components, a warning label must be included on the new packaging.
On June 3, Financial Associated Press reported (Editor Zhao Hao) that Texas is about to pass a bill that may force Skittles and Mountain Dew to include specific additive warning labels on their product packaging.
This bill, titled "Texas Senate Bill 25," passed the Texas Senate and House on May 31 and June 1 respectively, and is awaiting the signature of Republican Governor Greg Abbott to become law in Texas.
The bill lists 44 categories of additive components, including synthetic food coloring and bleached flour, many of which are banned or require risk labeling in other countries.
The bill states that starting in 2027, if food sold in Texas contains these components, a warning label must be affixed to the new packaging.
The bill also requires that the warning text on the packaging must be at least the same size as the minimum font for other information required by the FDA, must be placed in a "prominent and easily visible position," and must have "sufficient contrast."
Screenshot of the bill document.
Lacey Hull, a member of the Texas House of Representatives and one of the bill's sponsors, stated that it has received support from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. When the bill passed the legislature, she received a call from Kennedy.
However, Abbott has not yet committed to signing the bill. His press secretary stated, "The governor will continue to work with the legislature to ensure that Texans have access to healthy food and will seriously review any legislation they submit."
Texas is the second most populous state in the United States, with 31 million residents. At the same time, Texas has long been seen as one of the most business-friendly states, as the state not only does not impose income tax but also has relatively loose regulations.
Analysis suggests that if the bill is passed, it could have a profound impact on the packaged food industry: to streamline production processes, companies will promote individual state regulations nationwide. This will also become a significant victory for little Kennedy's campaign to "make America healthy again."
Vani Hari, a well-known critic of the American food industry, stated that if Abbott signs the bill, he will be remembered as the figure who broke down the chemical barriers in the food industry, as this will trigger massive changes within the industry.
According to media summarization, many commonly found foods in the United States will be required to change to packaging with warning labels, including Mars Company's Skittles and M&M's, Kellanova's Frosted Flakes, Pepsi's Mountain Dew and Doritos, and General Mills' Cinnamon Toast Crunch, among others.
Earlier this year, in a hearing, little Kennedy specifically criticized two companies in Chicago: the producer of Frosted Flakes (formerly Kellanova) and McDonald's, claiming that they "are poisoning American children on a large scale."
In response, industry groups and companies such as Pepsi, Mondelez International, Coca-Cola, Conagra Brands, and Walmart sent a letter to the Texas legislature on May 19, opposing the passage of the bill. They believe these labeling requirements are too broad.
The Consumer Brands Association (CBA), which represents manufacturers, retailers, and the food service industry, requested Abbott to veto the bill, as the labeling requirements could pose legal risks to brands and increase consumer confusion and costs.
