Texas has intensified its efforts to push food companies toward eliminating artificial dyes and additives, as part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has called on the food industry to voluntarily eliminate artificial colors from their products by the end of 2026, with major players such as Kraft Heinz and PepsiCo indicating their plans to comply. Some states have taken even more drastic measures, like West Virginia, which has outright banned the sale of food products containing seven specific artificial dyes.
The food industry argues that the ingredients listed in the Texas law have undergone extensive safety evaluations, cautioning that the proposed labels could be unnecessary and may raise production costs. Moreover, the law addresses additives that are not banned in other nations and are recognized as naturally derived ingredients, leading to potential confusion among consumers, according to industry experts. For instance, under the Texas law, products containing ficin—a natural extract from the fig tree used in cheesemaking and meat production—would require warning labels. Similarly, sodium hydroxide, a crucial component in the pretzel-making process and widely used globally, is also included in the Texas legislation.
Christina Barsa, vice president of Enzyme Development Corporation, expressed her concerns in a LinkedIn post, stating that the law could “mislead consumers and provide inaccurate information.” She emphasized, “As it stands, this legislation could cause unnecessary confusion and distrust without truly achieving its goal of transparency.” Additionally, the law’s implications could extend to ingredients like calcium citrate mg, which is often included in food products for its health benefits. The requirement for labeling could create further misunderstandings surrounding the safety and purpose of such ingredients, including calcium citrate mg, ultimately detracting from informed consumer choices.