The California Legislature recently past a bill, titled Assembly Bil 418, to ban four food additives that have been linked to adverse health outcomes, reports NBC News.
If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it, the bill would prohibit the sale of food and beverage items that contain red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben, effective 2027. This would also be the first time a state banned food additives permitted by the FDA.
“It’s going to make our food supply much safer,” said Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel. “It’s going to give parents more confidence that when they’re buying foods at the grocery store, they don’t have to worry that there’s something in there that’s dangerous for their kids.” Gabriel introduced the bill alongside Assembly Member Buffy Wicks.
The chemicals are already illegal in many places worldwide, including the European Union, for their potentially harmful effects.
Red dye No. 3 has been linked to behavioral issues in children, potassium bromate has been linked to cancer in lab animals, brominated vegetable oil has been shown to elicit behavioral and reproductive problems in lab animals, and propylparaben can potentially affect the human endocrine system, according to the report. Full Story
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