HB 4971

relating to prohibiting the purchase of food or drink items
containing certain food additives under the supplemental nutrition
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 33.031 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.031.  PURCHASE OF FOOD AND DRINK ITEMS CONTAINING
CERTAIN FOOD ADDITIVES PROHIBITED UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  Except as expressly required by federal law, a
recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits
may not use those benefits to purchase any food or drink item that
contains the following substances:
(1)  brominated vegetable oil (BVO);
(5)  butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA);
SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.