Relating to prohibiting the purchase of food or drink items containing certain food additives under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

HB 4971 would prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients in Texas from using their benefits to purchase food or drink items containing seven specific additives: brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, BHA, red dye 3, or titanium dioxide. This bill directly affects SNAP beneficiaries who currently use benefits for such products. The law creates a new policy requiring state agencies to enforce this restriction under federal SNAP rules, with a provision allowing delays if federal waivers are needed. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.