A new law signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is sending shockwaves through the national food industry, setting a precedent that may ripple far beyond state lines. Senate Bill 25, passed with bipartisan support, will require packaged foods and beverages sold in Texas to carry warning labels if they contain any of 44 dyes or chemical additives banned or discouraged in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the U.K. The mandate, which excludes restaurant items, will apply to all labels developed after January 1, 2027.
Among the flagged ingredients are commonly used substances such as Red 40, Yellow 5, bleached flour, and partially hydrogenated oils, ingredients found in iconic Texas products like Big Red and Blue Bell ice cream, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. Though initially broader, the list was trimmed in May after pushback from major Texas-based manufacturers including Frito-Lay, Keurig Dr Pepper, and Blue Bell Creameries. High-fructose corn syrup and aspartame were ultimately removed from the bill to avoid deeper conflict with industry stakeholders.
“I want to make Texas healthy again, but I do not want to hurt Texas business,” said Rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco.
The new packaging must prominently display a high-contrast warning label that reads:
“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.”
Food manufacturers now face a set of tough decisions: reformulate recipes, redesign packaging, withdraw products from Texas shelves, or mount legal challenges against the law. With its sweeping scope and international reference points, the legislation has positioned Texas at the center of a growing national conversation about food transparency, regulation, and consumer health.
