SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – California is taking a narrower approach to health, zeroing in on some popular candies and processed snacks that contain harmful additives.
Lawmakers are pushing California to become the first state in the nation to ban five chemicals that are linked to serious health problems. The substances have already been banned in Europe and advocates believe that passing a similar law in California could be the bellwether for the rest of the United States.
Bill AB 418 would prohibit the use of red dye No. 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben.
Susan Little, Senior Advocate for Government Affairs in California at the Environmental Working Group, told KCBS Radio these chemicals are used in a wide variety of products, most of which are foods sold to children. "Sodas and candies and various pastries and baked goods that are marketed to children," she said.
The chemicals are used as preservatives or color additives, mostly for cosmetic appeal. For example, Titanium dioxide is found in Skittles to increase the candy's interior pearlescent, white color.
"All of these chemicals have known, serious health effects, such as causing cancer tumors, damaging DNA, changing our hormones, how our hormones work in our bodies, changing our gut biota and even causing other types of reproductive harms and developmental delays," Little warned.
If the bill does get passed in California, this would dramatically impact manufacturers as the state has one of the largest economies in the world. "Manufacturers oftentimes change their products to meet the California standard, so we are hoping that if the bill passes, it will actually help improve our food supply across the United States," Little said.
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