Lawmakers want to "Make Texas Healthy Again"
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Texas Republicans are embracing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "make America healthy again" agenda, advancing bills banning dyes and other additives in public schools, and limiting junk food for people on food aid.
Why it matters: The lawmakers' push comes at a time of falling vaccination rates, rising skepticism toward public health institutions and a growing appetite for "natural" or "clean" living — a trend that can blur the line between wellness and conspiracy.
Driving the news: The Texas Senate unanimously passed a broad measure last month that would require manufacturers to include warning labels on food items containing artificial colors or food additives banned in Australia, Canada, the European Union or United Kingdom.
- Senate Bill 25, dubbed "Make Texas Healthy Again," would require sixth, seventh and eighth grades to participate in physical activity for at least 30 minutes during P.E., and create a Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to study the link between certain processed foods and chronic diseases.
What they're saying: "The commonsense reforms included in SB 25 highlight how important nutrition and exercise are in maintaining overall health," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement after the bill's passage.
- "By promoting exercise and educating the public about how damaging ultra-processed foods can be, we can make a positive difference in Texans' lives."
- The measure now awaits a House committee hearing.
Zoom in: Other measures target SNAP benefits and free lunch programs. SB 314, also approved by the Senate last month, would ban seven ingredients from reduced-price or free lunch programs at public schools. They include:
- Brominated vegetable oil and Red Dye No. 3 (both are banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA))
- Potassium bromate, Propylparaben and Azodicarbonamide (used in baked goods)
- Titanium dioxide (a synthetically produced white pigment)
SB 379, which moved to the Senate calendar this month, would prevent people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from buying food and drinks with little to no nutritional value, like soda, potato chips or cookies.
- There's a matching proposal in the House, and Laredo Democrat Rep. Richard Raymond filed a similar measure to restrict the purchase of certain foods using SNAP funds — indicating some bipartisan support.
Yes, but: Critics of the measure say people on SNAP benefits should be allowed to make their own decisions and that healthy food tends to cost more.
- "Some of our patients walk to the closest convenience store and don't necessarily have access to drive," Leslie Redden of Prism Health North Texas tells Fox 4.
The other side: The FDA maintains that color additives — except for Red No. 3 — are safe to eat.
- Food industry advocates like the National Confectioners Association say the new regulations could make food more expensive and less accessible.
The big picture: Dozens of states are taking steps to pass bans on dyes and preservatives.
- Most recently, West Virginia outlawed virtually all artificial dyes from foods, citing potentially harmful health effects.