College Station, Texas — The State of Texas has concluded a settlement agreement with Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., requiring the supermarket operator to halt spraying produce with ProduceMaxx across all of its retail locations nationwide. Under the agreement announced this week by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the chain agreed to eliminate automated misting of the chlorine-based chemical on all fresh merchandise, covering both standard inventory and organic farm goods.
State consumer protection investigators initiated an inquiry into commercial grocery operations in January 2026 amid concerns regarding undisclosed chemical sanitizers in retail misting equipment. Regulators focused on commercial deployments of ProduceMaxx—an antimicrobial agent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contains hypochlorous acid. Authorities highlighted allegations that retailers utilized the compound in automated display humidifiers to inhibit spoilage and maintain produce appearance, while also applying the chemical during backroom produce washing and crisping routines unnoticed by grocery shoppers.
Under the negotiated resolution, Sprouts must phase out the application of ProduceMaxx across its entire produce department nationwide within a 90-day compliance window. The agreement specifically bars the grocer from using ProduceMaxx or comparable man-made disinfectant treatments on organically grown fruits and vegetables through automated humidifiers or alternative cleaning techniques. The enforcement action follows an earlier settlement secured by the state covering Texas stores operated under the Albertsons banner.
"I will continue to protect consumers and ensure transparency, so that Texans can trust that they are buying clean products." — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
