'Toxic' additive found in Skittles and Pez could be BANNED in California in ... trends now
1
View
comments
A Californian bill that could ban Skittles and Pez in the state has headed to the Governor's desk for signature.
The state legislature voted Tuesday in favor of banning the manufacture, sale and distribution of four toxic chemicals in foods linked to cancer, nervous system damage and hyperactivity.
An earlier version of the bill also included another chemical — titanium dioxide, linked to cancer — although this was removed to achieve widespread support.
Californian politicians said the bill aimed to get food manufacturers to change their recipes and stop using toxic chemicals in America's most populous state. A similar ban was passed in the European Union in 2008.
The Californian bill — named A.B.418 — would end the use of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye No.3 in California's food supply.
Introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, it passed a senate vote 33-3 on Monday and a final procedural vote in the Assembly on Tuesday.
It is now on Governor Gavin Newsom's desk, who will have until October 14 to sign or veto the bill.
If signed, it will come into force on January 1, 2027, and impose fines of up to $10,000 for the sale, manufacture or distribution of these chemicals in the state.
Rep. Gabriel said: 'Today's bipartisan vote marks a huge step forward in our effort to protect children and families in California from dangerous and toxic chemicals in our food supply.
'It's unacceptable that the US is so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to food safety.'
Gabriel, who is a father of three
