The settlement follows an investigation into grocery stores across Texas, announced by Paxton in January 2026, which focused on the use of ProduceMaxx, an EPA-registered antimicrobial pesticide containing hypochlorous acid.
Under the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance signed by the Office of the Attorney General and Albertsons, all Albertsons-owned grocery stores in Texas must cease using ProduceMaxx or any other synthetic antimicrobial pesticide in misting systems on organic produce.
The agreement also requires employees to complete a potable water rinse on all organic produce after any ProduceMaxx treatment.
Chains subject to these new requirements include Albertsons Market, Randall's, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets, Market Street, United Express, Market Street Express, and Amigos.
"This is a huge win for Texans seeking to avoid synthetic pesticides when purchasing organic produce," Paxton said. "I commend Albertsons for reversing its course of action and signing this historic agreement to help ensure transparency for Texans by requiring its stores to stop the misting of pesticides on organic produce."
The Attorney General also commended Texas-based grocer H-E-B for its longstanding practice of not treating organic produce with antimicrobial pesticides, as well as nationwide health chains Whole Foods and Natural Grocers.
The Office of the Attorney General encouraged health grocer Sprouts Farmers Market to join the effort to bring better results for Texans.