A bill proposed in the California legislature seeks to ban five additives frequently found in foods. Red Dye No. 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben all are currently banned in the European Union.
All have been challenged before, with the FDA claiming they remain safe as ingredients in food.
A number of media reported on the announcement of proposed bill AB 418, which would prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of any food product in California containing those ingredients. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, one of the bill’s two sponsors, in a news release called them “dangerous and toxic chemicals.
“Each of these chemicals is currently banned in the European Union (EU) due to scientific studies that have demonstrated significant public health harms, including increased risk of cancer, behavioral issues in children, harm to the reproductive system and damage to the immune system,” the news release continued.
If enacted, AB 418 would make California the first state in the nation to ban the use of these ingredients. The measure is expected to be heard in committee in the coming weeks.
