In California schools, the days are numbered for snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, some cereals, baked goods and other products that contain a host of synthetic food dyes.
State lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom to ban schools, starting in 2028, from distributing or selling products containing six common food dyes: Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3.
Products containing these additives could still be sold in the rest of the state. The ban only applies to California public schools and charter schools.
Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat from Encino and the bill’s author, said “dangerous” synthetic ingredients “harm our children (and) interfere with their ability to learn.”
Gabriel has quoted a state study that links synthetic food dyes to hyperactivity and neurobehavioral problems in children.
The San Fernando Valley Democrat noted that the bill had received bipartisan support and had the backing of doctors, teachers and farm groups.
“I know many of you were skeptical about this effort when we started, but you have taken the time to listen, learn, and analyze the research, the science, the evidence, and the data,” she said before the final vote on the legislation. “The issue of food safety is and must be bipartisan.”
His bill was approved in the Assembly by 55 votes in favor and 0 against.
Industry groups representing candy makers opposed the bill, arguing that it would exceed the FDA’s authority.
“All of these additives have been thoroughly reviewed by federal and state systems and by many international scientific bodies and continue to be considered safe,” the Consumer Brands Association wrote in opposition to the measure.
Gabriel authored a similar bill last year to ban the sale of four other food additives anywhere in California beginning in 2027.
Among the ingredients the law will ban is brominated vegetable oil, which is used to prevent separation in some citrus-flavored drinks.
Earlier this month, The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted to ban the use of brominated vegetable oil in food products for human consumption.
“The work we’re doing here is driving this debate nationally,” Gabriel said.
