Popular Snacks Like Doritos May Get ‘Not Recommended for Human Consumption’ Label in Texas

Texas lawmakers are pushing for a bill that could force brands like Doritos, Mountain Dew, and M&M's to slap a warning label on their products. And not just any warning, a pretty intense one that essentially says, "not recommended for human consumption."

Let's be clear, no one is kicking your Flamin' Hot Cheetos out of your hands (yet). Nevertheless, Senate Bill 25 is very real and probably making a few corporate execs sweat a little.

The Bill That Could Red-Flag Your Red 40

Senate Bill 25, nicknamed the "Make Texas Healthy Again" bill, aims to increase transparency regarding food additives that have been banned in other countries but are still found in U.S. snacks.

Specifically, it would require warning labels on any food sold in Texas that contains one or more of 44 flagged ingredients, such as Red 40, Yellow 6, titanium dioxide, and brominated vegetable oil.

The proposed warning label will say:

WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom.

So, if it doesn't make it to the shelves in Europe or Australia, Texas wants it flagged and its residents aware.

Your Favorite Snacks Are on the Hit List

The list of potentially affected products reads like a hospital vending machine:

• Doritos

• Mountain Dew

• M&M's

• Skittles

• Oreos

• Capri Sun

• Froot Loops

• Twinkies

• Hot Pockets

• Sour Patch Kids

• Flavored Lay's chips

• Hot dogs and other processed meats

It's worth noting that the bill will not affect food sold in restaurants, dietary supplements, or any other products that are already strictly regulated by the FDA. So your drive-thru meals and multivitamins are safe for the time being.

What's the Point? And Who's Mad About It?

The idea behind the bill is to catch the U.S. up to food safety standards in places like Europe, where many synthetic dyes and additives have been banned for years. Supporters, including RFK Jr. (yes, he's now the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services), say it's time Americans had the same transparency.

Critics, primarily big food manufacturers like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Walmart, are calling foul. They argue the bill would unfairly stigmatize products that the FDA has already deemed safe and could confuse consumers more than it helps them. There is also concern that labeling every candy bar and soda bottle with warnings could cause more panic than protection.

When It Might Actually Happen

The bill is sitting on Texas Governor Greg Abbott's desk right now. He has until June 22 to either sign it, veto it, or do nothing— in which case, it automatically becomes law.

If it goes through, manufacturers will have until 2027 to update their packaging. After that, any company caught selling non-compliant snacks without a label could be fined up to $50,000 per violation. A steep price for a bag of chips.

This Might Not Stop at Texas

Here's the catch: Texas is a vast market. Rather than printing separate packaging just for one state, some companies might start placing warning labels on all products nationwide.

That could also set the stage for other states to follow Texas's lead. Think of it like a legislative domino effect… but for junk food.

The Bottom Line

While it might sound extreme to deem Doritos "not recommended for human consumption," the conversation it's sparking is very real. At its core, this bill isn't about banning our favorite snacks. It's about whether we, as Americans, have the right to know how our food stacks up globally.

So, will your favorite road trip snacks come with a side of regulatory guilt soon? That depends on what happens over the next few weeks. For now, you can still enjoy your snacks in peace.