The United States (U.S.) recently made a new law called Bill 418 banning current food recipes in California due to chemicals such as vegetable oil, red dye 3 and other chemicals that they contain in them. The Governor, Gavin Newson of California, Gavin Newson had officially announced that California is the first state in the U.S. that is banning recipes containing these harmful chemicals. Some of these chemicals are found in simple foods like Skittles, store-brand sodas and more. Even though California is the first state to ban harmful ingredients, other states have started to take action as well.
In the legislation Assembly Bill 418, Newson had sent a letter out to the members of the California state assembly stating, “I am signing Assembly Bill 418, which will prohibit any food product manufactured, sold, delivered, distributed, held or offered for sale.” There are many impacts of this new bill. The candy “Skittles” is one of the snacks that contained harmful ingredients from the European Union with several chemical additives and colorants banned already.
As the number of foods and snacks being detected as containing these harmful chemicals increases, more recipes are being banned. According to Non Public Radio (NPR), a non profit media organization, states that even though some popular products contain harmful chemicals the foods are not being banned but the recipes are. Meaning that companies will have to make a few changes to their recipes to be able to continue selling the product.
This new law has been delayed until 2027. For the companies to have enough significant time for brands to revise their recipes to avoid these harmful chemicals. Some of these foods are eaten by kids, students and adults around the world in their everyday lives.
Some people may think that these chemicals do not do any harm and believe that they are harmless. However, studies show that Newson had declared this bill against these certain chemicals because they could cause people to get cancer, reproductive, behavioral and developmental issues in children, as well as several other harmful health issues.
The chemicals addressed in this bill are already banned in various other countries, such as Europe, Canada and countries in Asia. Signing this into law is a positive step forward for these four food additives, brominated vegetable oil, or red dye 3 and others, until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews and establishes national updated safety levels for these additives.
In an article published LA Times, a daily newspaper in Los Angeles, explains how this legislation is popularly known as “Skittles ban” due to the titanium dioxide it contains just like Skittles, Starburst and Sour Patch Kids, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an American activist group that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies and toxic chemicals. Cable News Network (CNN), states there are almost 3,000 product recipes that include red dye No. 3.
As stated from the legislation AB418 that was brought by the Governor of California Gavin Newson if there be someone who violates the new bill they shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed 5,000 dollars for a first violation, and not to exceed 10,000 dollars.
Many foods will be affected since if they include any harmful chemical with vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben or red dye 3, then their recipe must be altered. After changing the recipe, the flavor of the foods may no longer taste the same. Some individuals, such as students, may not like how different the food will taste and will stop eating those products or brands.
