BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 119 89R2431 SRA-D By: Hall Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs 3/27/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT There is a growing concern that food products for human consumption may come from sources injected with messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology. This technology is new, and long-term effects have not been studied. Citizens of Texas should be informed in their purchasing and consumption of these foods. Just as today foods found in grocery stores are labeled with "milk from cows not treated with RBST," or "contains a bioengineered food ingredient," etc., this measure would increase awareness and incentivize consumers to research what exactly is going into their foods. This Bill Would: Require that all food products sold in this state derived from products injected with mRNA vaccine material include a clear and conspicuous label indicating the product contains mRNA vaccine material. Define mRNA vaccine material as "a substance included in a vaccine to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against disease by introducing messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that corresponds to a viral protein." Additional Information: This bill is not intended to prohibit or discourage mRNA vaccine usage, but rather to give consumers the ability to make informed purchasing decisions. Until long-term research has been conducted on the transmission of mRNA technology in animal products and the benefits or risks of human consumption, informed consumer choice must be maintained. There are two separate chapters in the Health and Safety Code that apply to food product labeling: Chapter 431 covers "food" and Chapter 433 covers "meat food products." The bill includes both of these chapters to encompass all food products. As proposed, S.B. 119 amends current law relating to required labeling of food containing mRNA vaccine material. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 3 of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 431, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 431.085, as follows: Sec. 431.085. REQUIRED NOTICE ON LABEL OF FOOD CONTAINING MRNA VACCINE MATERIAL. (a) Defines "mRNA vaccine material." (b) Prohibits a person from selling in this state food injected with an mRNA vaccine or containing any ingredient derived from food injected with the vaccine unless the food's label includes a clear and conspicuous notice stating the food contains mRNA vaccine material. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 433, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 433.0416, as follows: Sec. 433.0416. LABELING OF MEAT FOOD PRODUCTS CONTAINING MRNA VACCINE MATERIAL. (a) Defines "mRNA vaccine material." (b) Prohibits a person from selling in this state a meat food product derived from livestock injected with an mRNA vaccine unless the product's label includes a clear and conspicuous notice stating the product contains mRNA vaccine material. SECTION 3. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act. SECTION 4. Effective date: January 1, 2026.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 119
89R2431 SRA-D By: Hall
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
3/27/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 119
89R2431 SRA-D
By: Hall
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
3/27/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
There is a growing concern that food products for human consumption may come from sources injected with messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology. This technology is new, and long-term effects have not been studied. Citizens of Texas should be informed in their purchasing and consumption of these foods. Just as today foods found in grocery stores are labeled with "milk from cows not treated with RBST," or "contains a bioengineered food ingredient," etc., this measure would increase awareness and incentivize consumers to research what exactly is going into their foods.
This Bill Would:
Require that all food products sold in this state derived from products injected with mRNA vaccine material include a clear and conspicuous label indicating the product contains mRNA vaccine material.
Define mRNA vaccine material as "a substance included in a vaccine to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against disease by introducing messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that corresponds to a viral protein."
Additional Information:
This bill is not intended to prohibit or discourage mRNA vaccine usage, but rather to give consumers the ability to make informed purchasing decisions.
Until long-term research has been conducted on the transmission of mRNA technology in animal products and the benefits or risks of human consumption, informed consumer choice must be maintained.
There are two separate chapters in the Health and Safety Code that apply to food product labeling: Chapter 431 covers "food" and Chapter 433 covers "meat food products." The bill includes both of these chapters to encompass all food products.
As proposed, S.B. 119 amends current law relating to required labeling of food containing mRNA vaccine material.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 3 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 431, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 431.085, as follows:
Sec. 431.085. REQUIRED NOTICE ON LABEL OF FOOD CONTAINING MRNA VACCINE MATERIAL. (a) Defines "mRNA vaccine material."
(b) Prohibits a person from selling in this state food injected with an mRNA vaccine or containing any ingredient derived from food injected with the vaccine unless the food's label includes a clear and conspicuous notice stating the food contains mRNA vaccine material.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 433, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 433.0416, as follows:
Sec. 433.0416. LABELING OF MEAT FOOD PRODUCTS CONTAINING MRNA VACCINE MATERIAL. (a) Defines "mRNA vaccine material."
(b) Prohibits a person from selling in this state a meat food product derived from livestock injected with an mRNA vaccine unless the product's label includes a clear and conspicuous notice stating the product contains mRNA vaccine material.
SECTION 3. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 4. Effective date: January 1, 2026.