In a sweeping move aimed at tackling the state’s rising health concerns, Governor Greg Abbott signed over 1,100 bills into law before Sunday’s midnight deadline—among them, a high-profile health measure with national implications. Senate Bill 25 (SB 25), branded as the cornerstone of the “Make Texas Healthy Again” initiative, promises to overhaul food labeling standards and bring a renewed focus to nutrition education in Texas schools and colleges.
Key Elements of SB 25: Nutrition Education and Food Labeling
Spearheaded by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and championed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, SB 25 introduces major changes to how Texans learn about and interact with food, beginning in early childhood and extending into higher education.
Starting September 1, all public schools in Texas will be required to implement nutrition instruction for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. The curriculum will be guided by recommendations from a newly formed Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee—a state body also created by SB 25. In addition, colleges and universities will be required to offer nutrition education courses, with students in medical and health-related programs now mandated to complete formal nutrition training.
"Texas students will now be better equipped to make informed decisions about what they eat, which ultimately affects their long-term health outcomes," said Kolkhorst during a press conference after the bill was signed.
The new law also mandates that food manufacturers place warning labels on products containing one or more of 44 specific additives, many of which are commonly found in ultra-processed foods. These labels aim to alert consumers about potential health risks tied to artificial colors, preservatives, and other ingredients linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.
A Compromise on Federal Oversight
While the bill introduces bold state-level action, it includes a federal preemption clause to avoid legal conflicts. If the federal government regulates or bans any of the listed additives—or implements its own processed food labeling standards—Texas’s requirements for that ingredient will no longer apply.
“This clause ensures that Texas can lead the way on food transparency while staying aligned with national standards,” said Rep. Lacey Hull (R-Houston), who sponsored the bill in the House.
Health Advocates Applaud the Move
The bill attracted both praise and pushback, especially from food industry groups concerned about added costs and regulatory complexity. However, health advocates say the measure is long overdue.
Calley Means, a health reform advocate who testified before the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee, called the legislation “historic.”
“This is a watershed moment. Texas is taking a stand against the hidden dangers in our food supply,” Means said.
The “Make Texas Healthy Again” movement traces its roots to the 2024 presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has made nutrition policy a key focus. Kennedy publicly applauded the passage of SB 25, urging other states to follow Texas’s lead.
“Texas has set a bold example,” Kennedy said in a statement. “I commend Governor Abbott, Senator Kolkhorst, and Representative Hull for putting health before politics.”
Looking Ahead
The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee will begin its work this summer, with its first guidelines and educational recommendations expected to be released ahead of the law’s September implementation date.
While it remains to be seen how smoothly the changes will roll out in schools and on grocery store shelves, one thing is clear: Texas is positioning itself at the forefront of a growing national conversation about food, health, and transparency.
As Kolkhorst noted, “We are not just educating our children—we are empowering our citizens. That’s how you make Texas healthy again.”
