Latest news with #SB314
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Food restriction bills show a 'nanny state' mentality that has no place in Texas
As a Texas mother, grandmother and conservative Republican, I believe Texas families deserve the freedom to make their own choices without heavy-handed, government interference. Yet, some politicians in Austin are pushing unnecessary, superfluous regulations that not only erode personal liberty but also burden businesses, raise costs, and put out-of-touch bureaucrats in charge of decisions that should be left to individuals. Whether it's excessive food labeling requirements or government overreach regarding food ingredients, these policies reflect a 'nanny state' mentality that has no place in Texas. The Texas Legislature is attempting to pass three bills that would create new regulations, expand the size of the state government and cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Senate Bill 25 would create the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to develop food labeling requirements; SB 314 would prohibit certain food dyes or additives in school meals; and SB 379 would bar people in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from using their benefits, previously known as food stamps, to buy sweetened drinks. All three measures, which have passed the Senate and await votes in the House, enact new and needless public policy which is already regulated by other government entities. Let's be clear: Texans can trust the safety of the products they buy. The ingredients in our food and beverages are safe: No country in the world has banned them. Our food and beverage manufacturers are already held to rigorous standards by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency that ensures consumer safety. The push for warning labels isn't about transparency. It's about fearmongering, and inappropriate and disproportionate control. When government bureaucrats dictate what businesses must put on their labels, they are not informing consumers they are misleading them. Texans don't need anyone telling them what to eat and drink. Do we really want to follow California's lead, where nearly every product comes with a meaningless warning label in hopes of striking fear in consumers? Or worse, the European Union's overregulation, where the government micromanagement puts a chokehold on business growth and restricts consumer choice? These burdensome regulations don't just create confusion. They increase costs for everyone. Small businesses, the backbone of our economy, would bear the brunt of these mandates, struggling to comply with state-specific rules that make Texas a less attractive place to do business. Big corporations might afford to absorb these costs, but local entrepreneurs won't. If we want to keep our economy strong, we must reject these unnecessary rules and fight to keep Texas a business-friendly state. Let's not expand the size of government under the false pretense of fixing a fictional problem that doesn't exist. Instead of restricting consumer choices, we should focus on individual responsibility, education and market-driven solutions. Texans don't need politicians or bureaucrats dictating what's best for them. Our state thrives on freedom, innovation, and individual liberty — not top-down mandates and government control. If lawmakers truly care about public health, they should invest in education and consumer awareness, not punitive regulations that hurt businesses, limit your choices and raise costs for hardworking families. Conservatives win when they stand for free markets, individual liberty and limited government — not when they imitate the Democrats' obsession with regulation and control. Texans don't need government micromanaging their lives. They need the freedom to make their own decisions. That's what Texas stands for. That's what America stands for. And that's what we should fight to protect. Jennifer Bannister served as a senior staff member for the Republican Party of Texas from 2007-09 and for former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm from 1986-96. She worked for Rick Perry from 1997-2000, during his tenure as agriculture commissioner and lieutenant governor. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Food restriction bills bring nanny state mentality to Texas | Opinion
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Make Texas Healthy Again' push begins in Senate
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Senators unveiled a bill package that will push to provide healthier food options for Texans while also creating a committee tasked with studying the links between nutrition and chronic diseases. On Tuesday, a group of lawmakers presented three bills filed in the Texas Senate that are part of the Make Texas Healthy Again initiative that mirrors a similar federal push. Senate Bill 25, filed by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R – Brenham, would make children exercise more at school, require a nutrition curriculum at medical schools, establish the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee and require food labeling for certain chemicals in foods. 'We have to do something to really curb these chronic diseases and life expectancy,' Kolkhorst said in a news conference to unveil the bills. Her bill said the committee will develop nutritional guidelines for Texans. It will be a five-member committee with at least one expert in metabolic health, one licensed physician certified in functional medicine, one member of the Texas Agriculture Department and two members representing the rural and urban communities. The committee will study the links between ultra-processed foods and the prevalence of chronic diseases and other health issues. Every year the committee is required to submit an annual report with findings and recommendations. The bill would also require more labeling on food products containing certain chemicals. Food products will need a warning label disclosing that product has any artificial color, food additive or chemical that is banned in the United Kingdom or Canada. The warning label would have to read, 'WARNING: This product may expose you to [Name ofChemical], which is banned by [Name of Country],' according to the bill. Hawley Evilsizer, a registered and licensed dietician and director of government affairs for the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said the push for better nutrition at the Capitol is exciting. She does want to make sure that with this push, though, there is no fear of the food supply. 'We want to make sure that we're focusing on ensuring that the food supply is safe but then also educating and teaching Texans how to make healthy choices to prevent those chronic diseases,' Evilsizer explained. Sen. Bryan Hughes, R – Mineola, also introduced a bill that would ban seven chemicals in food that is offered in reduced-price or free lunch programs at public schools. The proposed banned chemicals are: Brominated vegetable oil Potassium bromate Propylparaben Azodicarbonamide Butylated Hydroxyanisole Red dye 3 Titanium dioxide 'SB 314 is for our kids who don't have the privilege of choosing what they eat during the school day,' Hughes said. Hughes said in a public hearing Wednesday that any school out of compliance would not receive funding to run the free lunch program. Evilsizer said it will be important that as the state makes decisions on which chemicals to ban, it is giving food suppliers and schools enough time to come into compliance, and making sure there is an affordable replacement. 'We just need to make sure that when we take something out, that we're making sure we're replacing it with something that is still gives palatability to the food so that the kids will eat it,' Evilsizer explained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
