TALLAHASSEE—Sponsors of a bipartisan bill requiring warning labels on Florida food and beverages containing synthetic dyes defended their measure on Thursday against critics claiming it would create a "nanny state" harmful to small businesses.
While the bill, which boasts 10 co-sponsors in the state House, aligns with new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr's "Make America Healthy Again" mission to eradicate food dyes and additives, conservatives like MAGA podcaster Laura Loomer and Rep. Juan Carlos Porras have bashed it for "California" mandates and wresting control from the federal government.
But at a press conference Thursday, alongside Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin, a North Carolina pediatrician, a serial entrepreneur, and a social media influencer called "The Food Babe," co-sponsors Rep. Debra Tendrich and Lindsay Cross, both Democrats, rejected the criticisms.
Tendrich, a freshman lawmaker from Palm Beach, pointed out Florida’s history of implementing state-specific food regulations, including a controversial ban on cultivated meat and a bill requiring labels on hemp products, which Gov. Ron DeSantis later vetoed.
"We have in the past shown precedence of creating specific packaging and food requirements in the state of Florida," said Tendrich. "The way this bill is designed, the responsibility is on the manufacturers. This is designed specifically to protect the small businesses from being harmed."
Cross, representing St. Pete, stressed that state action could nudge the federal government to act on food dyes, such as Red 40, Yellow 5, or titanium dioxide.
"We can't wait for the federal government to take all these steps. That's why it's incumbent upon us as the Florida Legislature to start this process and enact some of these good bills," Cross said.
The bill, HB 641, has an identical counterpart in the Senate sponsored by Republican Sen. Tom Wright. It's part of a huge push by Florida lawmakers to work in tandem with the new Trump administration on health-related efforts. Mostly inspired by RFK, Jr.'s agenda to kneecap rising rates of chronic disease, Cross and Martin have also filed a measure banning certain chemical additives in foods and beverages.
Beginning July 1, 2026, HB 641 would require warning labels disclosing synthetic colors and their potential "adverse effect on activity and attention in children" on foods and beverages containing dyes like Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, or titanium dioxide—many of which are banned or restricted in European nations. Manufacturers would initially be allowed to apply the warning label with an adhesive sticker until Dec. 31, 2028, after which it would need to be printed directly on the packaging.
Not all Republicans believe it's helpful to the Trump agenda.
"This bill impedes the work of the Trump administration and the mandate from the American people. Legislation like this, filed by a Democrat, seeks to bring California regulations to Florida," Rep. Porras, a Gen Z lawmaker known to clash with DeSantis, posted to social media. "Let’s allow @RobertKennedyJr to fix this at the federal level!"
Loomer, a prominent influencer boasting over a million followers on X, claimed it would pave the way for a "nanny state" leading to "inter-state chaos and the destruction of small businesses."
"These regulations will kill business for Florida-based small businesses in the food and beverage industry that can’t afford the expensive labeling and 24/7 inspection rules that large corporations can afford," she wrote, swiping at the supposed liberal influence from food influencer Vani Hari—"The Food Babe"—and Todd Wagner, an entrepreneur who co-owns a business with mogul Mark Cuban, also present at the press conference.
