Texas Senate Passes Food Labeling and Additive Bills

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Texas Senate Approves Two Bills Aimed at Artificial Food Additives

by: Food and Drug Law at Keller and Heckman of Keller and Heckman LLP - The Daily Intake

Friday, April 4, 2025

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On March 12, the Texas Senate unanimously passed SB 25. While the bill, as currently drafted, does not ban the use of any food additives, it would require food manufacturers to label products that contain certain artificial colors or chemicals, such as titanium dioxide and red 40. Products containing any of the fifty listed substances would have to be labeled with the following text: “WARNING: This product contains an artificial color, chemical, or food additive that is banned in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom.” If this bill becomes law as currently drafted, this requirement would take effect on September 1, 2025.
SB 25 would also establish a Nutrition Advisory Committee for the state, which would “examine the impact of nutrition on human health and examine the connection between ultra-processed foods, including foods containing artificial color and food additives, and the prevalence of chronic diseases and other chronic health issues.” Additionally, the Committee would “develop and maintain dietary and nutritional guidelines” for the State.
On March 12, the Texas Senate also passed SB 314, which would prohibit the use of the following food additives in free or reduced-price meals served in Texas public schools: (1) brominated vegetable oil (BVO); (2) potassium bromate; (3) propylparaben;(4)azodicarbonamide; (5) butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); (6) red 3; (7) red 40; (8) yellow 5; (9) yellow 6; (10) blue 1; (11) blue 2; (12) green 3; (13) caramel; (14) titanium dioxide. If this bill becomes law as currently drafted, the ban would go into effect beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
The Texas House Committee on Public Health is currently considering SB 25 and SB 314.