California becomes first US state to ban four ‘toxic’ food additives

Almost 12% of America’s population lives in California.And that Los Angeles Times They predict changes in what they eat:

California became the first state in the nation to ban four food additives in popular cereals, sodas, candy and drinks after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the ban on Saturday. The California Food Safety Act would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of brominated vegetable oils, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3, and the Environmental Working Group says it will ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of brominated vegetable oils, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3. products may be affected.

The law is widely known as the “Skittles ban,” according to the Environmental Working Group. That’s because the previous bill also targeted titanium dioxide, which is used as a coloring agent in candies such as Skittles, Starbursts and Sour Patch Kids. However, this bill, Assembly Bill 418, was amended in September to remove references to its contents…

AB 418’s author, Rep. Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), called the move “a major step in the effort to protect California’s children and families from dangerous and toxic chemicals in our food supply.” It was praised as such. Gabriel said the bill would not ban any food or product, but would require food companies to make “slight changes” to recipes and switch to safer alternative ingredients. Gabriel said the chemical has already been banned in 27 countries in the European Union, as well as in many other countries, due to scientific research linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and behavioral and developmental problems in children. Many major brands and manufacturers, including Coke, Pepsi, Gatorade and Panera, have voluntarily stopped using the additive due to concerns about its impact on human health. Brominated vegetable oil was previously used in Mountain Dew, but Pepsi has since discontinued its use in the beverage. However, it is still used in generic soda brands such as Walmart’s Great Value brand Mountain Lightning. Propylparaben and potassium bromate are commonly found in baked goods. Red Dye No. 3 According to Consumer Reports, Just Born Quality Confections uses No. 3 to color its pink and purple marshmallow Peeps candies. “What we’re really trying to get them to do is change their recipes,” Gabriel told the Times in March. All of the ingredients are not essential…

“This is a milestone in food safety that will once again put California among the nation’s leaders,” said Ken Cook, chairman of the Environmental Working Group, which co-sponsored the bill with Consumer Reports. ” he said. Cook said the law could be used nationwide because given the size of California’s economy, manufacturers may only make one version of the product, rather than separate products for the state and other states. He said it could affect some foods.

A study by the California Department of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment (cited in the bill) found that “consumption of synthetic food colors may cause hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children; Sensitivity to food dyes varies by child, the report found. The report also found that current federal regulations regarding the safe consumption of synthetic food dyes may not be sufficient to protect children’s behavioral health. did. The report adds that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration set levels for additives “decades ago” and that the levels “do not reflect new research.”

of Los Angeles Times It notes that the law will not go into effect until January 2027, and that “violations carry fines of up to $10,000.”

of times It also notes that former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger supported the bill as “common sense.”