Big changes are coming for Texas junk food junkies if Gov. Greg Abbott signs SB25 into law. Reactions range from funny to angry.
HOUSTON — If you need a good laugh, read the responses to our story about Texas lawmakers targeting junk food in a bipartisan bill. Dozens of Texans are making it loud and clear that they love their Cheetos, Doritos, Blue Bell and Red Bull, so don’t mess with Texas junk food!
By Thursday afternoon, our KHOU 11’s two Facebook posts from Wednesday had generated over 2,500 reactions, 750 comments and nearly 500 shares. And counting.
Here’s a sample of the comments opposed to the law:
“We don’t eat the labels. So stick em wherever. LOL,” Stacey Schoppa said, drawing over 160 reactions.
“We don’t care we will still eat them. Maybe I’ll put the Cheetos in the ice cream while I’m drinking a Mountain Dew,” Matt Duke said in another popular post.
“Ummmmm….wow…Texas really is going for Dad of the Year award! Love being an adult and being told what I can and can’t do outside the Constitution….,” Georgia Herrera added.
“Politicians should also wear a warning label!” Lizzy Herrera added.
“I don’t care what label you put on Flaming Hot Cheetos, they still getting ate,” Rashid Cole said.
“How am I supposed to survive my 12 hour shift as a blue collar with out my monsters and Doritos and sneakers,” Guerro Antonio posted.
“WARNING: The best ice cream In the country” “Warning: We eat all we can and sell the rest,” Samir Sliman said.
“Kinda hard to read labels when the power is out. Maybe they should prioritize the power grid first?” Erika Mann posted.
Some Texans support junk food warning labels
Commenters who don’t like the idea far outnumber those who support it, but for the record, some think it’s a good thing.
“I think if they put warning labels and people still decide to eat them, that’s on them , when they get sick from eating them the insurance shouldn’t have to pay or the premium should go up! Just like if you smoke some companies won’t insure you and if they do you pay a higher premiumm,” Joy Adams said.
“Which they should have always had warnings,” Maria Nelson added.
“At first I’m thinking that warning labels are very un-Texan but I read fully (from several sources) what the labels are about and I’m 100% for it. Nobody is going to keep you from buying those snacks but you will have more information about what you are buying. American food producers have been allowed to place profit over consumer health for too long. It’s time for change in the market,” Jerimy Wallace posted.
What’s next for Texas junk food bill?
Before wrapping up this session, the Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 25. It requires a clear warning for processed snacks, baked goods, drinks and other food.
If Governor Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 25 into law, as expected, it would become effective in 2027.
The warning is mandatory for all food and drinks that contain additives like food color, bleached flour and other things that most of us can’t spell or pronounce.
Popular snacks, drinks impacted by SB 25 include:
- Cheetos, Doritos and other chips
- M&Ms, gummies and most other candy
- Frozen treats like ice cream and popsicles
- Processed baked goods like Toaster Strudel, Pop-Tarts, cookies and cakes
- Packaged breads
- Breakfast cereals
- Processed meats and cheese
- Drinks like Red Bull, Mountain Dew, Kool-Aid, Gatorade and more.
The bottom line? Most packaged food sold in Texas that isn’t fresh must be labeled.
Food manufacturers fight back
Dozens of major food manufacturers and distributors, including Walmart, KraftHeinz, Hormel, Pepsi and Coca Cola, wrote a letter asking Texas legislators to remove the warning label section from the bill.
The companies argued in the letter that enactment of the bill would “destabilize local and regional economies” and limit access to foods in times of economic uncertainty.
“As currently written, the food labeling provision in this bill casts an incredibly wide net—triggering warning labels on everyday grocery items based on assertions that foreign governments have banned such items, rather than on standards established by Texas regulators or by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,” the letter said.
John Hewitt with Consumer Brands Association, which represents food manufacturers in the U.S., urged Abbott to veto the bill.
“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,” Hewitt told Fortune in a statement. “The labeling requirements of SB 25 mandate inaccurate warning language, create legal risks for brands, and drive consumer confusion and higher costs.”
Other key facts of Texas Senate Bill 25
Supporters say SB25 will also promote healthier living by requiring more physical activity in schools and expanding nutrition education.
Physical Activity in Schools:
- Elementary and middle schools must include nutrition instruction in their curriculum, based on guidelines from a new Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee.
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High schools must offer an elective course in nutrition and wellness.
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Colleges and universities must provide a nutrition education course opportunity.
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Medical and health-related degree programs must include nutrition curriculum requirements for all students.
Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee:
- A new committee will develop state nutritional guidelines, review scientific studies on ultra-processed foods, and report annually to state leaders.
- The committee is made up of experts in medicine, nutrition, and representatives from both rural and urban communities.
- Members cannot have conflicts of interest with food, beverage, supplement or pharmaceutical companies.