'Our food is literally killing us': FL lawmakers propose warning labels for certain foods

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Concerns around ultra-processed foods and synthetic dyes have state lawmakers pushing legislation to ban chemical additives and require stronger warning labels. Florida lawmakers are demanding change in the food found in schools and what you buy in grocery stores.

In a bipartisan move, lawmakers at the statehouse have filed several bills to tackle concerns around harmful chemicals found in Floridians’ everyday diets. One bill looks to make nutrition labels a little bit more like warning labels, highlighting the negative impacts it has on children.

“We cannot continue to ignore the truth about what is found in our food,” said State Rep. Debra Tendrich, D-Lake Worth.

In a step toward a healthier Florida, lawmakers across chambers have several bills aimed at holding businesses accountable in the food industry and protecting the health of all Floridians.
“Let’s just be real, it’s time we clean up our food system here in Florida,” said State Representative Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg.

Senate Republicans are diving into the chemicals found in our food, while House Democrats are fighting for transparency on food labels. House Bill 641 seeks to require clear warning labels on food and beverages containing harmful dyes and also looks to task the state’s department of agriculture and consumer services with inspections to ensure compliance.
“Our food is literally killing us, but it’s a slow tortured death that first robs us of you, of your health… And then eventually robs you of your life span, which is, by the way, shorter than it’s ever been in our history,” said Todd Wagner, Co-founder of FoodFight USA.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently banned the use of red dye No. 3, and as food additive concerns rise on the federal stage, some Florida lawmakers are asking, “What’s the rush to speed past those efforts here on the state level?”
“Should we wait until the federal government completes their work so there’s a uniform regulation?” said State Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.

In response, State Senator Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, said, “I think waiting on the federal government has proven to be not beneficial to Floridians in a number of respects.”

In a separate bill, Senator Martin’s efforts to ban chemical additives in foods by 2028 passed out of its first committee, which gives lawmakers across the chamber hope that their bill will do the same.
Food advocates and lawmakers note major food companies have reformulated their products for other countries, while it remains unclear if they will do that here at home in the Sunshine State.