SKITTLES WARNING? – Texas Bill SHAKES Snack Industry!

Daily Report June 05,2025

Texas Senate Bill 25 has sparked debate with its proposal to add warning labels to popular snack foods and beverages, potentially leading to significant changes in food packaging.

At a Glance

Senate Bill 25 mandates warning labels for ingredients not recommended for human consumption.
Ingredients targeted are legal in the U.S. but banned or regulated elsewhere.
The bill could impact popular snacks like Skittles and Mountain Dew.
Governor Abbott is reviewing the bill with 20 days to make a decision.

Potential Nationwide Impact

Texas Senate Bill 25 proposes implementing warning labels on specific snack foods and beverages that contain ingredients deemed “not recommended for human consumption” by foreign standards. If enacted, this legislation could influence packaging norms across the United States. This bill specifically targets popular items like Mountain Dew, Skittles, and Doritos.

Watch coverage here.

Supporters argue for transparency, highlighting the requirement to label 44 specific ingredients that are, although legal in the U.S., banned or regulated by countries like Australia, Canada, the EU, and the UK. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports the bill, emphasizing consumer rights to make informed dietary choices.

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Labeling Regulations and Business Concerns

Opponents, including the Consumer Brands Association, have raised concerns regarding the potential for consumer confusion due to reliance on foreign standards rather than U.S. guidelines. Major companies such as PepsiCo, Mondelez, Coca-Cola, Conagra Brands, and Walmart have voiced their concerns about the financial burden and legal risks associated with complying with these new labeling standards.

“The ingredients used in the U.S. food supply are safe and have been rigorously studied following an objective science and risk-based evaluation process. The labeling requirements of SB 25 mandate inaccurate warning language, create legal risks for brands and drive consumer confusion and higher costs.” – John Hewitt.

The bill specifies that warning labels must be in a font size at least as large as the smallest FDA-required information, prominently placed on product packaging. It exempts items not meant for human consumption, alongside restaurant foods, drugs, dietary supplements, and certain agricultural products. Nonetheless, industry representatives and retailers, including the Texas Retailers Association, are encouraging a veto.

Awaiting Governor’s Decision

The bill awaits review by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who faces a 20-day post-legislative session window to decide on its fate. Governor Abbott is taking a deliberative approach to review this legislation carefully, considering both its public health implications and economic impact on businesses.

“Governor Abbott will continue to work with the legislature to ensure Texans have access to healthy foods to care for themselves and their families and will thoughtfully review any legislation they send to his desk.” – Andrew Mahaleris.

This piece of legislation emphasizes the balance between maintaining public safety and the practical implications of new regulatory measures. Its ultimate outcome rests with Governor Abbott’s final decision, which will shape the broader impact on food labeling practices in the state and potentially nationwide.