The Florida Senate has passed a bill that would protect consumers by requiring labels on food products containing vaccines and vaccine material and add labeling for specific ingredients in cosmetics.
Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) sponsored the bill (SB 196) in the Senate. Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) also cosponsored the legislation.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, more Americans are paying closer attention to their health now more than ever,” Gruters said in a press release. “This legislation enhances transparency to help protect Floridians from untested, experimental processes to genetically modify their food with potentially dangerous mRNA vaccines. I am proud to see this legislation move forward as we work to make America healthy again!”
SB 196 would require the following on food products.
If the package does not have clear labeling of vaccines or vaccine materials, the food is considered a misbranded drug and a misbranded food. SB 196 also bans the use of a fruit or vegetable as a delivery mechanism for an mRNA vaccine.
“As a farmer, I know all too well the healing properties that many foods possess. Food certainly can be medicine,” Republican Senate President Ben Albritton said. “However, many Floridians have genuine concerns about the practice of genetically engineering foods to contain experimental vaccines. The families across our state deserve to know what is in the food they eat. This legislation ensures transparency in our food supply.”
On cosmetics, SB 196 would require a notice on a website that is run by the cosmetics manufacturer and made available to the public of specific intentionally added chemicals in cosmetics. The ingredients include Ortho-phthalates, PFAS, Formaldehyde, Methylene glycol, Mercury, Triclosan, M-phenylenediamine, and O-phenylenediamine.
In-state retailers that do not warn consumers of certain ingredients as of July 1, 2026, may exhaust their existing stock through sales to the public until July 1, 2027. The bill also exempts cosmetic products regulated as drugs by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
“Many cosmetics contain chemicals that have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer and infertility, when used consistently over extended periods of time. Without clear labeling, consumers may unknowingly use these products which may pose risks to their long-term health,” Calatayud said.
“This bill is a big step forward for consumer transparency and will help Floridians have a better idea of exactly what chemicals are in the cosmetic products they are using on a daily basis, so they can make informed choices," Calatayud added.
Rep. Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay) sponsored the House version of the bill (HB 525). If fully passed and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill would take effect on July 1.
