Skittles, Nerds, Trolli Gummi and dozens of other popular sweets and drinks may be banned in California

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed landmark legislation aimed at banning the use of Red Dye No. 3 and other potentially harmful food additives in consumer products. Writes about this CNN.

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The state became the first in the country to ban ingredients found in many popular candies, drinks and other foods, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental organization that co-sponsored the legislation with Consumer Reports.

House Bill 418, known as the California Food Safety Act, introduced by Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel and Buffy Weeks in February, would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution in California of foods containing red dye #3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil. or propylparaben.

Potassium bromate is added to baked goods to help the dough rise and strengthen better. In some beverages, brominated vegetable oil emulsifies the citrus flavoring, preventing it from separating. Propylparabens are used for antimicrobial food preservation.

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According to the Environmental Working Group's Eat Well Guide, nearly 3000 foods use red dye #3 as an ingredient, including sweets such as Skittles, Nerds and Trolli Gummi, protein shakes, instant rice and potatoes, and trail mixes. cakes in boxes.

The governor pointed to the availability of Skittles in the European Union, calling it "clear evidence that the food industry is able to maintain product diversity while complying with various health laws."

Newsom's move brings the United States somewhat closer to food production conditions similar to those in the EU, where these chemicals are banned due to scientific research that has demonstrated significant harm to public health, including an increased risk of cancer, behavioral problems in children, harm to reproductive system and damage to the immune system.

“The signing of this legislation is a positive step forward for these four dietary supplements until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews and sets updated national safety levels for these additives,” the governor said. California Gavin Newsom.

Reassessing the safety of food ingredients, an FDA spokesperson said, "as new, relevant data becomes available is an important aspect of FDA's chemicals in food program and a key part of our mission to ensure food safety." According to him, “The FDA has a program of ongoing analysis of the impact of new data on food chemicals. Based on its analysis of new data, FDA is working on a proposal to amend our regulations to remove the approval of brominated vegetable oil as a food ingredient.”

A spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration explained that regulators around the world have different legal authorities and regulatory programs, and the approval of a substance may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

“For example, there are color additives that are approved for use in Europe and other countries, but are not permitted in the United States,” he noted.

Food safety in practice

The bill won't go into effect until 2027, Newsom said, "which is a significant amount of time for brands to review their recipes to avoid the use of these harmful chemicals. Californians can still access and enjoy their favorite foods with greater confidence that they are safe.”

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The National Confectioners Association, a trade organization based in Washington, noted that "Newsom's approval of this bill would undermine consumer confidence and create confusion about food safety." It operates independently of the Food and Drug Administration and has called on the FDA to weigh in on the issue.

Currently in the United States, these chemicals can be used in food products thanks to a loophole in the FDA's Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act known as the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) rule, which allows manufacturers to use ingredients in the form and quantity required. The FDA has previously declared it safe.

Given the size of California's economy, Consumer Reports said in a press release, “This groundbreaking law could impact food across the country, not just in California, so all Americans would likely benefit from the ban. It is unlikely that manufacturers will produce two versions of their product, one for sale in California and one for the rest of the country.”

In the meantime, if you want to avoid Red #3, check the ingredient list for FD&C Red #3, and for medications, look for the color in the "inactive ingredients" section.

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