Texas investigates ‘heart healthy’ labels on Sun Chips, Mazola and other products

August 3, 2026 - 23:09

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into several major food companies over concerns that they may have misled shoppers by labeling certain products as heart healthy. The probe targets brands including Sun Chips, a popular snack chip line, and Mazola, a well-known cooking oil brand, among others.

The inquiry focuses on whether the companies violated state consumer protection laws by using the heart healthy designation without proper scientific backing or regulatory approval. Paxton's office is looking into how these labels were developed, what evidence supports them, and whether the marketing language could confuse consumers about the actual nutritional value of the products.

According to a statement from the attorney general's office, the investigation is part of a broader effort to ensure that food labels are truthful and not deceptive. The office is requesting documents and internal communications from the companies to determine how they arrived at the heart healthy claims and whether those claims meet federal standards.

The companies named in the probe have not yet issued public responses. Legal experts say the investigation could lead to fines or required changes in labeling if the claims are found to be unsupported. The case highlights growing scrutiny of food marketing practices, especially as consumers pay more attention to health-related claims on packaged goods.

Paxton's office has not set a timeline for the investigation's conclusion.