California may become the first state to ban the sale, manufacture, and distribution of foods that contain chemicals linked to increased cancer risk, reproductive harm, and behavior issues, reports CBS News.
The five chemicals are as follows: red dye number 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, bromated vegetable oil, and propylparaben. Titanium dioxide is used in many candies, including Skittles, and potassium bromate is used in some breads.
These chemicals have already been banned in Europe, and potassium bromate has also been banned in China and India. Red dye number 3 has been banned in the U.S. for use in cosmetics.
Many business associations opposed the legislation, saying, "The United States federal government has a comprehensive food safety process...and the five additives have been thoroughly reviewed...and continue to be deemed safe."
Erik Millstone, food additive expert at the University of Sussex in England told the news source that most Americans are unaware that they are being exposed to substances that are viewed as dangerous in other parts of the world.
"They probably just think, 'Well, if it's available or it's in the store, it's probably fine,'" he said. Full Story
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