California 1st State To Impose Restriction On Food Additives For Cancer And Other Health Risks

Food Additives

Governor Gavin Newsom of California has signed a bill that makes the Golden State the first in the US to effectively ban 4 major food additives. These food additives are added to candy, snacks, baked goods, popular cereals, soda, and popular drinks. Among the substances to be banned is Dye 3 which is added to candies, including purple and pink Peeps.

The Food Safety Act signed by the Democrat Governor will effectively ban the total manufacture, trade, and distribution of potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oils, red dye 3, and propylparaben. They are part of everyday foods, including cookies, fruit juices, candies, and much more. People backing the law ensure that the ban on some food additives does not indicate that some popular products will disappear from the shelves of standalone stores and supermarkets. However, it is given that food companies will be forced to find safe alternatives or tweak their recipes.

The National Confectioners Assn. Has Protested The Ban On Food Additives

Assembly Bill 418 (AB 418), the name of the legislation authored by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), will specifically act against the use of the additives mentioned above. Jesse Gabriel said that the move was a massive step in the effort of the government to protect children and adults in the Golden State from toxic and dangerous chemicals that are being added to the food supply. However, he also assured that the ban will not have any effect on any food or other affected products and companies will only have to make slight changes in the use of these ingredients and switch to safe materials.

27 countries that are part of the European Union have already banned these food additives as scientific and medical research has indicated that they are linked to reproductive issues, cancer, and developmental and behavioral issues, especially in children. The bill has been opposed by the Confectioners’ Association in the US. They contend that it will destabilize the confidence of consumers and lead to confusion about the safety of every food product.