Texas to Require Warning Labels on Foods with Harmful Dyes

In a major move for public health, Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a new law that will require warning labels on foods containing 44 chemical additives and dyes linked to serious health concerns, especially in children.

Many of these are already banned in other countries including Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, titanium dioxide, BHA, and potassium bromate (compounds tied to cancer, hormone disruption, and hyperactivity.)

The new law doesn’t ban these additives, but it forces companies to either label them or clean up their formulas if they want to keep selling products in Texas. Many of these potentially harmful ingredients are often marketed to children.

Extra included in the new law.

But this isn’t just about labels. The law also:

• Requires daily PE and recess for all students, even those in detention.
• Brings nutrition education to K–12 and medical school curriculums.
• Establishes a nutrition advisory committee that excludes anyone tied to the processed food industry(which might be the biggest win of all.)

For parents who’ve spent years researching which cereals are safe, or who’ve seen firsthand how certain food dyes affect their children’s behavior, this matters.

And for health-conscious Texans who just want the truth about what’s in their food, this is a step toward real transparency. It may not be perfect, but it’s progress.

So don’t be surprised if your grocery store shelves start to look different in the months ahead. The labels are changing and that means you’ll finally get a clearer picture of what’s really going on inside your pantry and your child’s body.