Several states are considering bans on food additives following California’s lead due to the cancer-causing chemicals found in many popular snacks..
Around the fall of October 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law prohibiting the manufacturing, selling, and distribution of food that contains additives linked to health concerns. These banned toxic food chemicals include brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red 3. Consumer Reports cites potential risks like hyperactivity, digestive issues, and increased cancer risk. The California law takes effect in January 2027.
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With this movement for food and health safety, states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri are also exploring similar legislation.
- Proposed bills in New York target several food or color additives used in manufacturing and commercializing food products, including those banned in California and titanium dioxide.
- Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is considering bills addressing potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and other additives. Another proposal focuses on a wider range of artificial colors, prohibiting red dye 3, red dye 40, yellow dye 5, yellow dye 6, blue dye 1, and blue dye 2.
- Also, similar bills have been introduced in Illinois and Missouri that would also prohibit the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of food and beverages that have brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, Propylparaben, and red dye 3. If passed, these bills would go into effect in January 2027
“There is no consumer confusion on this issue,” says Brian Ronholm, director of food safety at Consumer Reports, “They want these chemicals out of foods.”
Even though many states are pushing for these bans to go through, there are some states, including Indiana, Maryland, South Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia, who have rejected proposals because of a lack of evidence.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Also Takes Action
In November 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed revoking approval for brominated vegetable oil in food due to animal studies showing adverse health effects. They acknowledge it can no longer be considered safe.
Examples of potentially affected products include:
- PediaSure Grow & Gain (strawberry shake) containing Red 3 (Abbott has committed to removing it by summer 2024)
- PEZ Candy Assorted Fruit (Cherry, Strawberry, Grape, Raspberry, Orange, Lemon), containing artificial colors FD&C red dye 3, yellow dye 6, blue dye 2.
- PEZ Cotton Candy, Candy Corn and Banana, which have artificial colors FD&C red dye 3, yellow dye 5, and yellow dye 6.
- Hot Tamales with Yellow 6-dye
- Jelly Belly Candy Corn with Red 3-dye
Current Uses of Potentially Banned Ingredients:
- Red Dye No. 3:
- Also known as Erythrosine, red dye No. 3 is derived from petroleum and imparts a vivid cherry-red hue to foods and beverages, per the FDA.
- Despite its colorful appearance, the FDA rejected a petition in 1990 seeking approval for red No. 3 in cosmetics and topical drugs due to evidence suggesting its potential carcinogenic effects in animals.
- According to the University of Rhode Island, Red Dye No. 3 is commonly used in baked goods, candies (such as Brach’s Star Brites, Dubble Bubble Gum, Jelly Belly, Hot Tamales), frostings, icings, cereals, and beverages.
- Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO):
- Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is chemically modified and mixed with bromine. The FDA notes that it is permitted in small quantities as a stabilizer in fruit-flavored beverages to prevent the separation of citrus flavoring. Many beverage manufacturers have replaced BVO with alternative ingredients in response to consumer concerns.
- Potassium Bromate:
- Primarily used as a food additive, potassium bromate serves as an oxidizing agent, particularly in the bread-making process, according to the National Institutes of Health.
- Titanium Dioxide:
- This artificially produced white pigment, Titanium Dioxide, is used in various FDA-regulated foods, such as bakery products and candies, for its whitening capabilities.
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Swedish Fish, Nerds, and More
Food safety is becoming more of a priority in the United States, with similar bans from other countries, such as Germany, are handling certain goods. Germany has banned not only Flamin’ Hot Cheetos but also other versions of Cheetos because of the artificial ingredients (red dye No. 3, titanium dioxide, and brominated vegetable oil, known as BVO).
Other Favorite Snacks
- Doritos: May contain BVO or potassium bromate.
- Froot Loops: Red Dye No. 3
- Lucky Charms: Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1
- M&M: Red Dye No. 3
- Skittles: Titanium Dioxide (although this isn’t currently a part of the ban but could likely lead to a ban in the future).
From The Club
Boomers didn’t lie when they said that our current diet is one of the main reasons why we have health problems. We are what we eat, and who would’ve thought that satisfying our sweet tooths (even our kid’s cravings) would risk our health over time? After digging deeper into each ingredient and discovering their risks, I’m taken aback at how these are used in snacks mainly offered to kids and teens. I’m just relieved that states have been revisiting these ingredients and have taken a move to ban them in the future. I can’t afford to treat my nephew and niece to a snack that would eventually harm them and honestly the increase in food costs will be worth it to prevent dna mutations or fertility issues.
