California is looking to ban certain dyes used in food that are served at public schools.
The California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 2316, also called the California School Food Safety Act, sending it to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for approval.
The big picture: The bill aims to ban six potentially harmful food dye chemicals from being served in California’s public schools, with the goal of safeguarding children’s health and well-being.
- The prohibited dyes include Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, and Green Dye No. 3, all of which have been linked to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children.
Driving the news: The bipartisan bill has garnered support from the Environmental Working Group and Consumer Reports and endeavors to empower schools to better protect the health of students while also encouraging manufacturers to refrain from using these harmful additives.
- The legislation’s sponsor, Asm. Jesse Gabriel (D–Encino), had previously been successful in banning other potentially harmful food and drink additives in products sold throughout California.
- The passing of this bill follows the precedent set by the California Food Safety Act, signed into law last year by Newsom, which banned additives such as potassium bromate, propylparaben, brominated vegetable oil, and Red 3 from food sold in the state.
What they’re saying: “California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and that can interfere with their ability to learn,” Gabriel said in a statement. “This bill will empower schools to better protect the health and well-being of our kids and encourage manufacturers to stop using these harmful additives.”
