Banning Food Dyes from Schools
A state legislator introduced a first-of-its-kind bill in January, that would prohibit seven additives from artificial foods served in schools. Assembly Bill 2316 would prohibit school cafeterias from serving foods containing six artificial food dyes. Which have been linked to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in some children. It would also outlaw titanium dioxide, a whitening agent used in candies and other products.
The European Union has banned due to concerns that it is potentially genotoxic. Additionally means that it can damage DNA and cause cancer. ”California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and that can interfere with their ability to learn.” Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel said in a press release. “As a lawmaker, a parent, and someone who struggled with ADHD. I find it unacceptable that we allow schools to serve foods with additives that are linked to cancer, hyperactivity, and neurobehavioral harms. This bill will empower schools to better protect the health and wellbeing of our kids and encourage manufacturers to stop using these dangerous additives.”
The Study of Food Dyes
According to NBC News, Jesse Gabriel has called on schools to change the recipes of cereals and baked goods. Additionally, currently contain any of six different colored food dyes. Additionally, as titanium dioxide and replace the chemicals with natural alternatives such as beet juice and turmeric.
The artificial dyes Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1 and Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have come under fire from parents. Educator’s are others who claim that limited research has linked them to behavioral issues in children. Additionally aggression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsivity, and depression.
According to a 2021 study conducted by the California Environmental Protection Agency, synthetic food dyes are associated with adverse neurobehavioral effects. Additionally, such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and restlessness in some children. That is why artificial dyes foods should be banned from schools.
Food Dyes Linked to Behavioral Disorder in Children
According to a 2019 FDA report, there is no specific causal link between artificial food dyes and behavioral disorders in children, though newer research from California contradicts those findings. A 2021 report from the California Environmental Protection Agency first discovered that some dyes could cause hyperactivity in children. While also noting that much of the scientific research on the subject is decades old.
The bill builds on a bill signed into law last year. Additionally introduced by Gabriel, that prohibited “dangerous additives” in all foods sold in California, including a dye found in Skittles that posed health risks to customers.
According to Gabriel’s office, Tuesday’s bill would not outright ban specific products or foods but would instead “prompt a nationwide transition to safer alternative ingredients.”
The FDA states that artificial food dyes consumed at approved regulatory levels are thought to be safe—Red 40 contains benzene, and Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 contain benzidine, both of which are known cancer-causing substances.
Ban Harmful Chemicals in Food and Drinks
Democratic state lawmakers and the Illinois Secretary of State are launching a campaign to ban harmful chemicals from state-sold foods and beverages. Such as Breakfast cereals Fruity Pebbles, Trix, Froot Loops, candies Skittles, M&Ms, and Starburst. Beverages Gatorade, Hawaiian Punch, Fanta foods that may contain the artificial proposed banned chemicals.
Phthalates, a chemical found in artificial food packaging and production materials, can leach into food and beverages and endanger human health. For years, the FDA has illegally ignored Earth justice’s petition to prohibit these chemicals. In 2021, we filed a lawsuit to force the FDA to decide whether to ban phthalates. Last year, it declined, so we need your help to tell the FDA to remove these hormone-disrupting chemicals from our food
The Illinois Food Safety Act would prohibit five specific chemicals: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl paraben, artificial red dye No. 3, and titanium dioxide. These chemicals have been found in candy, soda, and other ultra-processed foods.
According to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannulli’s, the additives have been linked to serious health issues. Additionally nervous system damage, hyperactivity, hormonal damage, reproductive issues, and an increased risk of cancer.
The Battle Against Toxic Classes of Chemicals
For many years, we have been fighting to protect families across the country from a group of toxic chemicals known as Organo halogens. Organo halogens are a group of chemicals used as flame retardants in a variety of household products. Including furniture, mattresses, electronics, and even children’s toys.
When children crawl around on the floor, putting things and their hands in their mouths. they are consuming toxic flame-retardant chemicals. The way that the flame retardants are added to these products, they don’t actually stay in the products. They migrate out and the chemicals are in a gaseous form. Attach to house dust and create a film on other substances in your home.
Thousands of foods contain titanium dioxide, according to the Environmental Working Group. After studies revealed that it can harm the immune system and damage DNA, the European Food Safety Authority banned it. The bill would not ban any artificial products or brands. Lawmakers stated that it would encourage food manufacturers to update recipes with healthier ingredients.
Written by Shontasia Gregory
Sources:
Fox32 Chicago: Illinois lawmakers target candy, soda, and ultra-processed foods in chemical ban effort
Earthjustice.org: Insider Briefing: Taking on Toxics
CBS News: Illinois wants to ban food chemicals found in candy, soda
Inset Image Courtesy of Mike Mozart Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Featured Image Courtesy of Like_the_Grand_Canyo Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
