Proponents of the California Food Safety Act, which bans the production, distribution, and sale of food and beverages containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red Dye No. 3, point out that several other countries have already prohibited some of these ingredients. Companies will have a few years to adjust their formulations to continue offering their food and beverage products with alternative ingredients. This legislation is set to take effect in January 2027. “Californians will still have access to their favorite food items while enjoying greater confidence in their safety,” stated Governor Gavin Newsom.
New York is following California’s lead, as a comparable bill is currently advancing through its state legislature. Introduced in March, this law aims to restrict the use of five food additives, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparabens, Red Dye No. 3, and titanium dioxide, the latter being an addition from the California bill. “Although food additives have long been used to enhance the shelf life, flavor, or texture of various commercial products, emerging science on the health risks associated with increased consumption of such additives reveals just how hazardous some of them can be,” the proposed legislation states. This marks the first instance of a single state banning ingredients that are still permitted by the FDA.
In 2018, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) received funding to conduct a risk assessment on the potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on children. Their research, referenced in the bill’s Assembly Floor Analysis, indicated that the prevalence of ADHD diagnoses among American children and adolescents has risen from approximately 6.1% to 10.2% over the past two decades. The report further concluded that the current federal guidelines for safe consumption of synthetic food dyes may not adequately safeguard children’s behavioral health, as these standards were established by the FDA many years ago.
Countries like the EU, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan have already banned these four ingredients. “It’s unacceptable that the U.S. is lagging so far behind the rest of the world in terms of food safety,” remarked Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel on Facebook. “Food giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have voluntarily removed these additives from their products, and this initiative by California lawmakers represents a significant advancement in our mission to protect children and families.”
In light of these developments, it is crucial to consider safer alternatives, such as pure encapsulations calcium magnesium citrate, for those seeking healthier options. As awareness grows regarding the potential dangers of certain food additives, the push for safer food products will likely continue, benefiting consumers and their families.