SACRAMENTO - The California Legislature has passed a first-of-its-kind bill that bans four food additives linked to potential health issues.

If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill 418 would prohibit the sale of foods and drinks in California that contain red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben, starting in 2027. If it passes, it would mark the first time that a state has banned food additives that are currently permitted by the Food and Drug Administration.

NBC News reported that four chemicals are already illegal in the European Union and many other places around the world but can be found in products sold in the United States such as some brands of orange soda, icing, hamburger rolls, candies and processed foods.

Story Date: September 12, 2023