Key Takeaways
- A new report commissioned by the Corn Refiners Association estimates food labeling laws in Texas and Louisiana could significantly increase household grocery bills.
- Out-of-pocket costs may rise by $2,200 per household in Texas and $900 per household in Louisiana.
- Broader social costs are projected at $64 billion in Texas and $12 billion in Louisiana.
- Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode urged the Department of Justice to extend a comment period for further economic analysis.
- The laws, passed in 2025, require food labeling for certain widely used ingredients.
Findings from the Corn Refiners Association Report
The Corn Refiners Association released a report warning that recent state-level food labeling laws could increase grocery costs for consumers, particularly those in budget-sensitive households.
The analysis, conducted by Policy Navigation Group, estimated that households in Texas could face an additional $2,200 in food costs, while households in Louisiana could see an increase of $900. Beyond direct out-of-pocket expenses, the report identified broader “social costs,” including the need to purchase substitute products. These were projected at $64 billion in Texas, or $7,200 per household, and $12 billion in Louisiana, or $1,300 per household.
Corn Refiners Association’s Position
Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode emphasized the potential burden on consumers.
“Everyone feels the impact of higher food prices, and any policy changes that will lead to higher grocery costs should be closely examined to avoid any unintended consequences,” said Bode. “Consumers face the prospect of a sharp increase in food prices due to policy changes authorized by state legislators. It is critical that the costs and benefits of food supply policy changes are purposefully assessed before increased costs are imposed on consumers.”
Bode also referenced the broader policy environment: “The Trump Administration has made addressing onerous policy provisions a major priority, and these bills are a prime example of why such work is necessary. We agree with the broad Trump policy of not creating new requirements that impose consumer costs without significant evidence that the benefits outweigh the cost. We asked the Department of Justice to extend the comment period so there would be a greater opportunity for our organization and other concerned stakeholders to perform a more robust economic analysis of the impacts on consumers.”
Policy Context
The Department of Justice issued a Request for Information on August 15 concerning state laws with significant effects on interstate commerce. The Corn Refiners Association has requested an extension of the comment period to allow for additional analysis.
The Texas and Louisiana laws, passed in 2025, require new labeling rules for specific food ingredients that are widely used in the U.S. and globally. The association and its partners argue that these requirements may have unintended consequences for both food prices and supply chain efficiency.
