California has banned four common food additives — Red Dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben — through the California Food Safety Act.
The law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, which offers “significant time for brands to revise their recipes to avoid these harmful chemicals,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement to members of the California State Assembly on Oct. 7, when he signed the bill into law. After that, any person or entity that manufactures, sells or distributes food products in California that contain the additives can be fined up to $5,000 for a first violation and up to $10,000 for each additional violation.
Here’s what to know about the ingredients, why they were banned and what it means for you, whether you live in California or elsewhere.
What are the additives, and what food products are they in?
The four banned ingredients are most commonly found in ultraprocessed foods. Red Dye No. 3 is used as a colorant in red or pink icings, drinks and candies, especially ones that are flavored with cinnamon, peppermint, cherry or berry. This includes many holiday-themed candies, like conversation hearts, candy corn and candy canes, as well as some brands of jelly beans. Brominated vegetable oil is found primarily in citrus-flavored store-brand sodas, where it works as a stabilizer for the flavor oils. Potassium bromate acts a leavening agent, and propylparaben is a preservative: They are typically used in packaged baked goods, including tortillas, breads and pastries.
Why were they banned?
Research conducted over the past few decades, primarily in animals, has linked the four chemicals to cancer, reproductive issues and neurobehavioral concerns, such as hyperactivity. Some of these problems may stem from the potential effects some of the chemicals have on the endocrine system, which controls hormone function in the body.
A big focus of the California law is protecting children, who are generally more likely to consume food products that contain these chemicals. Experts say children are also at a greater risk for potential negative consequences from food additives because their developing organs are more vulnerable.
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Source link: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/18/well/eat/food-additive-ban-california.html