Warning Labels in Texas
Big changes are coming for snack lovers in the Lone Star State. Texas lawmakers have passed a new public health measure requiring warning labels on certain popular snacks, including chips, candy, and sugary drinks. The labels, set to roll out in early 2026, will alert consumers to high levels of added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats—nutritional red flags linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
The law, signed by Governor Laura Sanchez after a heated legislative session, is the first of its kind in Texas and one of the most aggressive food-labeling policies in the U.S. to date. It requires all packaged snacks that exceed thresholds set by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to carry bold, front-of-package warnings such as “High in Sugar”, “Excess Sodium”, or “Contains Trans Fat”.
Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity and Chronic Illness
Supporters of the bill argue it’s a necessary step in the fight against Texas’s growing public health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 35% of children in Texas are overweight or obese—one of the highest rates in the country. Public health experts say excessive consumption of processed snacks plays a major role in those statistics.
“This is not about banning snacks,” said Dr. Monica Reyes, a pediatric nutritionist based in Houston. “It’s about empowering families with clear, science-backed information. Most people don’t realize how unhealthy some of these products really are until it’s too late.”
What Snacks Will Be Affected?
The labeling mandate will apply to both Texas-made and nationally distributed snack products sold within the state. While the DSHS is still finalizing the list, some likely candidates include:
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Flavored chips with over 200mg of sodium per serving
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Sugary cereals with more than 10g of added sugar per serving
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Candy bars high in saturated fat
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Sodas, sports drinks, and sweet teas
Products that exceed multiple thresholds may be required to carry multiple warning labels.
Backlash from the Snack Industry
Not everyone is happy with the new law. Snack food manufacturers and industry lobbyists argue the policy unfairly targets their products and could confuse or scare off consumers.
“This is government overreach that stigmatizes food choices,” said Blake Martin, a spokesperson for the American Snack Association. “People want balance, not bureaucracy. Education—not alarmist labels—is the key.”
Some companies are already preparing to challenge the law in court, citing concerns over freedom of commercial speech and claims that the labels could hurt sales without substantially changing consumer behavior.
What’s Next?
The Texas law is modeled in part after similar regulations adopted in Chile and Mexico, where officials report some success in reducing junk food consumption and improving public awareness. Texas health officials hope to see similar results.
Retailers and manufacturers have until January 1, 2026, to comply with the labeling guidelines. Violations could result in fines of up to $5,000 per product, per day.
For now, shoppers in Texas can expect to start seeing bolder warnings on their favorite snacks at the grocery store—an effort, lawmakers say, to help families make healthier, more informed choices in an age of convenience-driven diets.
“This is a wake-up call,” said State Senator Rebecca Lin, who authored the bill. “Our kids are getting sick, and we can’t afford to ignore the role food plays any longer.”
