The food industry is undergoing major changes, after the government has declared war on artificial food dyes. While a growing number of fast food chains have begun eliminating dyes from menu items, Texas just passed a law requiring food and beverage brands to include warnings on labels for ingredients that are “not recommended for human consumption.” Many of the ingredients listed in the law are legal to consume in the U.S. but are banned or strictly regulated overseas. The law covers ingredients that fall into five categories: bleached flour, food dyes, sweeteners, oils and preservatives. Brands and manufacturers would be required to add warning labels to products sold online as well. This likely will lead to a nationwide overhaul, as companies generally aim for uniformity when making major changes to product labels. Products with warning labels would likely hit shelves beginning in 2027. Major snack and drink brands that could be impacted by the law include Doritos, Ruffles, Lays, M&Ms, Skittles, Froot Loops, Cap’n Crunch, Twinkies, Oreos, microwave popcorn, and even drinks like Mountain Dew, Gatorade, and Hawaiian Punch.
