A major shift is coming to Texas grocery shelves. In a move that puts families’ health front and center, Texas has become the first state in the U.S. to require warning labels on packaged foods containing certain additives that are “not recommended for human consumption” by authorities in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom. This groundbreaking law, set to take effect for products produced after January 1, 2027, is poised to change how we choose our packaged foods at the grocery store.

What’s Changing? The Details Behind the Labels

Unlike traditional nutrition labels that focus on sugar, fat, or calories, these new warning labels target specific food additives, many of which are found in popular snacks like Doritos, M&M’s, and Trix cereal. The law requires that any product containing one of over 40 named additives must display a clear, prominent warning label. These additives include certain food dyes (like Red 3, Red 4, Blue 1, Yellow 5 and 6), partially hydrogenated oils, BHA, BHT, and others that have been flagged by international health authorities for potential health concerns.

The goal? To give consumers instant, visible information about ingredients that may be restricted or banned elsewhere, empowering Texas families to make more informed choices.

Why Does This Matter for Modern Families?

For millennial moms and primary household shoppers, the grocery aisle is already overwhelming. Between confusing ingredient lists, marketing claims, and hidden additives, it’s easy to feel lost—even when you want the best for your family. Texas’ new law is a step toward greater transparency, but it also raises new questions:

• What exactly are these additives, and why are they controversial?

• Are they really unsafe, or simply more regulated in other countries?

• How can you quickly spot these ingredients without memorizing a long, technical list?

The reality is, not all additives flagged by Texas are banned everywhere. Some, like Blue Dye No. 1 or BHT, are still permitted in the very countries the law references. This patchwork of regulations can create confusion for families trying to do the right thing. Find a list of the key ingredients that will be flagged below. 

Targeted Key Ingredient Categories 

• Synthetic Food Dyes:

  • Red Dye No. 3

  • Red Dye No. 4

  • Red 40

  • Blue 1

  • Blue 2

  • Green 3

  • Yellow 5

  • Yellow 6

  • Citrus Red 2

  • Canthaxanthin

• Preservatives:

  • Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

  • Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

  • Propylparaben

• Flour Additives:

  • Bleached flour

  • Bromated flour

  • Calcium bromate

  • Potassium bromate

  • Azodicarbonamide (ADA)

• Oils and Fats:

  • Partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats)

  • Interesterified palm oil

  • Interesterified soybean oil

• Sweeteners and Emulsifiers:

  • Olestra

  • Diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM)

  • Acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides

  • Lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propylene glycol

  • Diacetyl

• Other Additives and Chemicals:

  • Titanium dioxide

  • Dimethylamylamine (DMAA)

  • Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)

  • Anisole

  • Ficin

The WISEcode Solution: Clarity at Your Fingertips

At WISEcode, our mission is to cut through the noise and give you instant, science-backed clarity about what’s really in your food. Our AI-powered platform already decodes complex ingredient lists, helping you avoid allergens, additives, and anything that doesn’t align with your family’s health goals.

We know that staying ahead of new regulations, and understanding what they mean for your household, can be overwhelming. That’s why using WISEcode’s code system (ie; process levels, seed oils, allergens, etc.) truly reflects your goals in the ingredients you want to see flagged. 

Looking Ahead: Empowerment, Not Confusion

Texas’ new law is a bold move toward greater food transparency, but it’s just the beginning. At WISEcode, we believe that every family deserves the tools to make confident, informed choices without fear, confusion, or hours spent decoding labels.

Using WISEcode to filter out the ingredients you don’t want in your food makes it easier than ever to spot and understand the ingredients behind the new Texas warning labels, and beyond. You can shop with clarity and peace of mind. Because when it comes to your family’s health, knowledge is power, and WISEcode is here to help you every step of the way.