Garland, TX – What you’re about to read may shock you at first, but when you really stop and think about it you probably won’t be all that surprised. At some point you have probably seen the viral videos of people setting Cheetos on fire by simply holding a lit match near them; you’ve probably encountered at least the idea that high fructose corn syrup is a dangerous chemical being put in more and more of the American food supply; and your doctor (or your mom) probably suggested that candy might not be the best thing to eat in bulk. If you’ve never experienced any of those things, the State of Texas is preparing to educate you … or at least warn you.
Starting on September 1, 2025, foods containing any one of 44 dangerous chemicals will have to have a bear a high-contrast warning label stating: “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.” The chemicals include certain dyes, types of flour and oils – for a full list click here!
Ironically, one of the worst chemicals – high fructose corn syrup – was left off of the final list due to “industry pushback.” Hard to imagine the food industry, which introduced HFCS because it’s cheaper due to US corn subsidies and acts as a long-term preservative, would want to keep a dangerous chemical in our food supply. It is no surprise that corporations typically prioritize profits, which influence their lobbying efforts. This can lead to challenges in enacting laws that effectively serve the public interest, as seen in this situation.
If you are not familiar with high fructose corn syrup, found in the vast majority of sodas, chips, sweets, and even most bread, it’s a chemical byproduct of corn starch when it is broken down into glucose and fructose. It has been found to cause or contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease, all made worse by high rates of consumption.
What does a high rate of consumption look like? How about a dinner of Minute Maid Lemonade, a ham sandwich on Wonderbread, some Lay’s potato chips on the side and a dish of delicious Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream for dessert? Yeah…everything in that list is loaded with HFCS.
Oh? You’re a healthy eater? Are you sure? Breakfast cereals, granola bars and yogurts very often contain HFCS, as do many fruit juices, canned fruits, “heart healthy” breads, vegetable soups, protein bars and even applesauce!
Concerned about pumping all of these chemicals into your body? The good news is, you don’t have to wait for the new warning labels to start cutting down on HFCS, in particular, whether it’s included or not. Read the labels on the food you buy. Yep, that tiny little print. Take your reading glasses or even a magnifying glass to the grocery store if you need them. You often have a choice between one version of a product that has HFCS and another version that doesn’t. The healthier option might be on a lower shelf and it probably costs a little bit more, but what price tag would you put on your health and the health of your children?
It’s worth the effort to shop wisely, whether or not there’s a warning label.
