California has moved one step closer today to banning popular candies like Sour Patch Kids and Campbell’s soup unless the brands change their recipes.
The state’s Democrat-dominated health committee has approved a bill that would ban five chemicals in foods linked to cancer, nerve damage and hyperactivity.
Politicians say the ban — which includes red dye No. 3, potassium bromate and titanium dioxide — will “protect children” and bring the state into line with the rest of the world.
The European Union has already banned the use of the chemicals in its foods, but in the US only red dye No. 3 has been blocked from use in cosmetics.
If the bill becomes law, food manufacturers will have to change their product formula or see them disappear from the shelves of America’s most populous state.
Assemblyman (Asm) Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat for District 46 who proposed the bill, said, “There is no realistic chance that this bill will result in Skittles or any other product being taken off the shelf.
“The idea here is for these companies to make minor changes to their recipes so that these products no longer contain dangerous and toxic chemicals.”
He added: ‘Skittles and many other brands have already made changes to their recipes in the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries where these chemicals are banned.
“While the chemical companies may want you to believe that we are going too far with this bill, in fact we are way behind the rest of the world.
“We just want our children to have the same protection.”
The California State Assembly Health Committee is Democratic-controlled and has primary jurisdiction over the health care system in the state.
The bill passed the committee by 12 votes to one against, with two members not recording a vote.
It will not be referred to the state’s Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, which oversees toxic and hazardous materials regulations.
Lawmakers aim to have the law go into effect in the state by January 1, 2025.
The bill, dubbed AB418 and filed with Democrat cosponsor Asm Buffy Wicks, targets five food additives, including brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben.
It is co-sponsored by lobby groups the Environmental Working Group and Consumer Reports.
If it becomes law, the bill would also prevent the production of food products, including these chemicals, in the state — even if they are sold elsewhere.
While the state assembly only deals with California matters, Asm Gabriel sees the new regulations as having a national impact.
The additives are added to the food to improve their taste or appearance or to keep them fresh.
Titanium dioxide is the most notable of the group.
The additive was at the center of a 2022 lawsuit filed last year in the Golden State alleging that the popular candies Skittles were not fit to be eaten.
Another targeted additive is Red No. 3, a food coloring found in many candies and other sweet treats to enhance their color.
Asm Jesse Gabriel (pictured) filed the bill last month. He hopes to “protect” families in California by banning these potentially harmful substances
Since the early 1980s, studies have shown that the additive can cause cancer in laboratory animals in very high doses and has been linked to behavioral problems in children.
For these reasons, it was banned in cosmetic products in 1990, but it is still in many foods and sweets, including baked goods and breakfast cereals.
Brian Ronholm, the director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said: “Despite the serious and well-documented risks to our health from these five food chemicals, the FDA has failed to take action to protect the public.
The committee’s vote is an important first step by California lawmakers to remove these harmful chemicals from candies, cookies and other processed foods.
“At a time when weak FDA oversight has prevented action, it is critical for states like California to ensure consumers are protected from these toxic food chemicals.”