A new bill passed by the Texas legislature is drawing national attention for proposing warning labels on popular snacks such as M&M’s, Skittles, and Doritos—if they contain food additives banned or restricted in other countries.
Senate Bill 25, now awaiting Governor Greg Abbott’s signature, mandates that by 2027, any processed food or beverage sold in Texas that includes certain synthetic dyes, bleached flour, or controversial ingredients must carry a visible warning. The label would read:
“WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom.”
The move is part of a broader initiative to improve food transparency in the U.S., a key issue in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.
The bill has triggered significant industry backlash. Companies including PepsiCo, Mondelez, Coca-Cola, Conagra Brands, and Walmart have jointly urged lawmakers to reconsider, warning that the legislation could mislead consumers and create unnecessary confusion by applying foreign standards rather than those of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“The food labeling provision casts a vast net,” read a joint industry letter, adding that products deemed safe by U.S. regulators could unfairly bear alarming warnings based on international bans.
Walmart stated it closely monitors the situation, while the Texas Retailers Association acknowledged making adjustments during the legislative process.
If signed into law, Texas would become the first U.S. state to enforce such labeling based on foreign ingredient bans, potentially setting a precedent for stricter food regulation nationwide.
Governor Abbott has 20 days to decide whether to sign or veto the bill. His office stated the governor is reviewing the implications to ensure Texans have access to safe and transparent food options.