Sacramento, California – Lawmakers in several states across the United States are considering legislation to prohibit specific food additives after California banned four dangerous chemicals in food. Last fall, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that bans the use of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye 3 in food products due to their links to health issues like hyperactivity in children and an increased cancer risk.
The new law in California is set to take effect in January 2027, with violators facing civil penalties under the California Food Safety Act. States like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri are now exploring similar measures to restrict the use of harmful food additives in their respective jurisdictions.
In New York, a bill before the state Senate aims to prohibit the use of certain substances as food or color additives in the manufacturing and distribution of food products, mirroring California’s restrictions. Pennsylvania is considering bills that would ban the use of potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and other harmful additives in food products.
Illinois and Missouri are also evaluating legislation to restrict the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of food and beverages containing dangerous chemicals such as brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye 3. These bills, if enacted, are scheduled to take effect in January 2027, aligning with California’s timeline for implementing its restrictions.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to revoke the regulation permitting the use of brominated vegetable oil in food. The agency cited studies showing adverse health effects in animals from exposure to BVO, leading the FDA to conclude that its use in food is no longer considered safe.
Companies like Abbott, which owns the PediaSure brand, have committed to removing harmful additives like red 3 from their products in response to growing concerns about the safety of food additives. The FDA has raised particular concerns about the use of red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, and titanium dioxide in various food products.
Overall, the push to ban harmful food additives reflects a broader trend toward stricter regulations on food safety and consumer protection. As more states consider following California’s lead, the issue of regulating food additives will likely remain a prominent topic in legislative debates across the country.