Texas governor Greg Abbott has signed a new law requiring warning labels on thousands of snacks and packaged food products in the US state.
The labels will state that certain ingredients are “not recommended for human consumption” in other countries.
The legislation targets over 40 ingredients, including food dyes and additives used to enhance texture, taste, or shelf life.
The law applies to food product labels developed or copyrighted from 1 January 2027.
Texas is the first US state to mandate warning labels specifically for additives, rather than nutrients such as sugar or saturated fat, aiming to influence American dietary habits, according to a FOX 7 report.
The law requires the warning labels to be prominently displayed and easily readable on product packaging.
Popular products such as Doritos, M&M’s, and Trix cereal, which contain synthetic food dyes, will be affected, the news agency added.
However, the law could be overridden by federal action, including if the US Food and Drug Administration introduces its own labelling requirements or approves the safety of specific ingredients, potentially exempting them from the state’s mandate.
The food industry has expressed concerns, stating that the targeted ingredients have been thoroughly studied for safety.
Industry representatives argue the labels are unnecessary and could raise manufacturing costs.
Additionally, some additives covered by the law are not banned in other countries and may be considered naturally derived, which could lead to consumer confusion, according to industry experts.
