California Legislature Takes Historic Step to Ban Harmful Food Additives

In a groundbreaking move aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of its residents, the California Legislature has passed a historic state-level bill to ban the use of several toxic food additives in candy, cookies, and other food items.

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The first-of-a-kind bill – California Assembly Bill 418 (AB-418) by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) – is now on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for a final signature.

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Dangers in Certain Food Additives

The additives in question – red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben – have long been under scrutiny by the scientific and health communities for their potential adverse effects on human health.

Chemical additives in food are typically used to enhance flavor, texture, or appearance and to preserve freshness; most are likely safe for humans to consume.

However, studies suggest that the four substances referenced in the California bill may be linked to various health concerns, from allergies, hyperactivity, and reproductive issues to nervous system damage and certain types of cancer.

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California AB-418

Co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group and Consumer Reports, the state-level bill underscores the importance of ongoing research and monitoring of food additives and their potential health impacts.

The California Legislature’s action comes in response to mounting evidence against the four additives cited and public demand for greater transparency and safety in the food supply chain.

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Proposed to take effect on January 1, 2027, California AB-418 “would prohibit a person or entity from manufacturing, selling, delivering, distributing, holding, or offering for sale, in commerce a food product for human consumption that contains any (of the) specified substance(s)…”

“Californians shouldn’t have to worry that the food they buy in their neighborhood grocery store might be full of dangerous additives or toxic chemicals,” said Assembly member Gabriel, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. “This bill will correct for a concerning lack of Federal oversight and help protect our kids, public health, and the safety of our food supply.”

Besides the ban on the four harmful food additives, the legislation provides improved labeling requirements to give consumers clear information about food-product contents so they can make informed choices about the foods they purchase.

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Consumers can see how food additives are ranked – from “safe” to “avoid” – in this rating guide from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Industry and Community Support

The California ban is expected to have far-reaching implications for the food industry, as manufacturers will be prompted to reformulate products to comply with the new regulations and to seek safer alternatives to meet consumer demand for healthier food options.

The California Legislature’s move toward prohibiting these additives is receiving widespread support from public health organizations, medical professionals, and advocacy groups. They encourage other states and nations to follow California’s proactive model for enhancing food safety standards and protecting their populations from potentially hazardous substances in food products.

Similar legislation is proceeding in the State of New York. Since 2008, the additives have been prohibited from use in processed foods sold in the European Union.

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