Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 418, the California Food Safety Act, on October 7. There are 12,000 drinks, cereals, and candies with four banned chemicals. This historic law prohibits “manufacturing, selling, delivering, distributing, holding, or offering for sale” such things. According to rumors, the controversial bill will ban Skittles from corner stores in spring 2023. The statute was modified to remove titanium dioxide, which gave the candy its rainbow color. The ban will affect Peeps and most red velvet cupcakes sold in stores, among other things.
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The first state to restrict these substances was California. Cal Matters reports that the EU has banned red color 3, propylparaben, brominated vegetable oil, and potassium bromate. Consumer Reports’ director of food policy, Brian Ronholm, told the non-profit news site that his organization co-sponsored the “groundbreaking” law with “strong bipartisan support.”
What the ban means for US pantry products like soda and cookies is up to the companies. A petition signed by 24 groups and scientists links all banned substances to neurotoxic, carcinogenic, endocrine, and reproductive issues. Manufacturers must adjust their formulations by 2027 to reflect these changes. Propylparaben is included in several trail mix brands, and potassium bromate is in many tortilla brands.
The Environmental Working Group claims the FDA has approved these treatments for years without evaluating them in decades or ever.
UC Davis food expert James Coughlin told Cal Matters that the chemicals are “unnecessary and unscientific” but shouldn’t be banned. The National Confectioners Association said the new law would confuse customers and damage the confectionery business. Congressman Jesse Gabriel told the Los Angeles Times that these substances are “nonessential” and that the government is only trying to persuade corporations to change formulations.
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