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() Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to team up with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday as the state ties itself to the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
Kennedy will be alongside Abbott as he ceremonially signs legislation aimed at improving nutrition and protecting children’s health. The law will take effect Sept. 1.
The legislation mirrors similar pushes in nearly three dozen states this year regarding synthetic food dyes, additives and nutrition labeling.
But the Lone Star State’s new law takes regulation a step further mandating that any products containing more than 40 additives, dyes or chemicals display a warning label.
The label reads: “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.”
Abbott has positioned the legislation as a win for public health, though critics argue the additive list includes items that are already banned in the U.S.
Dr. Frita McRae Fisher told that, while she supports the new law, the politicians behind it are sending mixed signals.
“Gov. Abbott and RFK Jr. are actually a bit paradoxical, like a walking conflict,” Fisher said. “Because at the same time, they promote many policies and theories that can be detrimental to the health of Texans.”
Kennedy has come under fire for his response to Texas’ measles outbreak, as well as comments about the efficacy of vaccinations.
“I just think we need a lot of consistency from leadership. This is a good start, but we definitely need more in order to make Texas, and America, healthy,” Fisher said.
Along with imposing additive-warning labels, Texas has worked toward bolstering nutrition and physical health programs in education and established a Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee.