With the state being the first to implement this ban, California residents wonder if the progressive state will ban Skittles and other fan-favorite snacks and drinks.
On Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed the California Food Safety Act, a bill that forbids four food additives connected to health issues.
“Signing this into law is a positive step forward on these four food additives until the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews and establishes national updated safety levels for these additives,” Governor Newsom said.
According to CNN, Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel and Buffy Wicks proposed Assembly Bill 418, the California Food Safety Act, in February. Red color No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben are now all prohibited by the proposed legislation from being manufactured, sold, or distributed in California.
The European Union, Canada, and other countries have already not only banned the four harmful chemicals, they have been declared illegal. However, they are still present in many commonly purchased goods in the US, including various varieties of orange soda, frosting, hamburger rolls, candy such as Skittles, and processed foods.
According to Consumer Reports, the harmful and now banned chemicals have been linked to health risks such as cancer to child hyperactivity. The new bill garnered mixed reactions from social media, as residents question if their favorite foods and snacks will be banned from the shelves.
According to the New York Post, food manufacturers are now up in arms and allegedly protesting the prohibition. Food manufacturers accused the state of California and the Food and Drug Administration of misleading the public with an “ inconsistent set of food regulations.”
“California is once again making decisions based on soundbites rather than science,” the National Confectioners Association said. “Governor Newsom’s approval of this bill will undermine consumer confidence and create confusion around food safety.”
At this time, it is unclear if California will actually ban Skittles and or any other food/drinks from grocery stores. According to Forbes, the state will not pull Skittles from shelves.
For more updates on the California Food Safety Act, be sure to check No Jumper.
