Sacramento, California – Lawmakers across the United States are considering legislation to ban specific food additives in response to California’s recent action against four harmful chemicals found in food products. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill last fall prohibiting the use of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye 3 due to their link to various health risks, including hyperactivity in children, digestive issues, and an increased cancer risk.

The law will come into effect in January 2027, with violations leading to civil penalties under the California Food Safety Act. Following California’s lead, states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri are exploring similar bans on these dangerous food additives.

For instance, in New York, a bill is under consideration to prohibit certain substances as food additives or color additives in the manufacturing and distribution of food products. The proposed legislation mirrors California’s ban on substances like brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, red dye 3, and titanium dioxide.

Pennsylvania is also addressing the issue with bills that seek to ban the use of potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, butylated hydroxyanisole, as well as various artificial colorings like red dye 3, red dye 40, yellow dye 5, yellow dye 6, blue dye 1, and blue dye 2. Similar bills in Illinois and Missouri are targeting the same harmful additives, with proposed effective dates set for January 2027.

In November 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed revoking the authorization for brominated vegetable oil in food, citing adverse health effects in animals. The FDA stated that it can no longer ensure the safety of using brominated vegetable oil in food products.

Moreover, food products like PediaSure Grow & Gain, PEZ candy, Hot Tamales, and Jelly Belly Candy Corn are among the items that could be affected by the potential bans on certain food additives. Abbott, the owner of the PediaSure brand, has committed to removing red 3 from all PediaSure products by this summer.

Red dye No. 3, bronomated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and other harmful additives commonly found in food and beverages are facing scrutiny from legislators and regulators alike. The push to ban these additives reflects growing concerns over the impact of these chemicals on public health and consumer safety.