They're Putting 'Not For Human Consumption' on Your Groceries

Lillie Kane

827,988 views • 8 days ago

Video Summary

The food industry is undergoing a significant transformation with new labeling laws aimed at increasing transparency. A key change, spearheaded by Texas's "Make Texas Healthy Again" act and set to impact the nation due to Texas's market size, mandates warning labels on processed foods containing specific chemical additives, such as artificial dyes and preservatives, that are not recommended for human consumption by authorities in other countries. This initiative, dubbed the "black box" warning for groceries, mirrors those used for dangerous prescription drugs, highlighting ingredients like red 40, yellow 5, and titanium dioxide, which are linked to health issues like hyperactivity and behavioral problems.

Additionally, Canada has implemented a "front of package" labeling system, using a magnifying glass symbol to flag foods high in sugar, saturated fat, or sodium, a movement that is also being pursued in the US. Big food companies are actively fighting these changes through lawsuits, arguing free speech violations, while simultaneously reformulating some of their products to remove these controversial ingredients and avoid the new labels. This shift represents a push to restore consumer choice by revealing hidden truths about processed foods, contrasting them with naturally occurring, single-ingredient foods that require no such warnings.

Short Highlights

The "Black Box" Warning for Groceries [00:05]

A new law in Texas, Senate Bill 25, the "Make Texas Healthy Again" act, signed in 2025, will introduce warning labels on certain food and drink products by 2026.
These labels are intended for products containing ingredients like bleached flour, food dyes, sweeteners, oils, and preservatives that have faced regulation in other countries, such as Australia, Canada, the EU, and the UK.
The law targets 44 specific chemical additives, including red 40, yellow 5, and titanium dioxide, with red 40 linked to hyperactivity, behavioral challenges, and migraines according to the Cleveland Clinic.
This initiative is expected to influence the national market due to Texas's significant consumer base, potentially leading to nationwide changes in food labeling and consumer habits.
The "black box" warning, traditionally reserved for dangerous prescription drugs, is now being applied to food items, symbolizing a new level of scrutiny for processed foods.

"I don't know why I find that so funny. Honestly, I guess it's supposed to be really sad that they would be incorporating ingredients in their products that are naughty, but you know, I think at this point I got to just find the humor in it."

Key Details

The Global Magnifying Glass: Front of Package Labeling [05:37]

As of January 1st, 2026, Canada will require a "magnifying glass" symbol on the front of prepackaged foods that are high in sugar, saturated fat, or sodium.
This visual labeling system aims to provide an easily understandable signal to consumers about the nutritional profile of products, complementing existing nutritional information tables.
A similar front-of-package labeling movement is being finalized for the US, potentially involving symbols for foods high in sugar or sodium.
Sports drinks, often high in sugar and containing artificial dyes like red 40, are a primary target of these new labeling efforts.
The video promotes Element electrolytes as a sponsor, highlighting their lack of the 44 blackbox targeted ingredients and their nutritional benefits of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.