California has implemented a bill that will force candy companies to remove harmful ingredients or face hefty fines.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 418, also known as the “Skittles ban,” over the weekend. This will outlaw four widely used additives: Red Dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben. These have been linked to cancer and other diseases. Previous versions of the bill included titanium dioxide in the ban, which was previously at the center of a lawsuit aimed at Skittles. However, additional measures geared towards titanium dioxide could come at a later date. 27 countries in the European Union have already banned these chemicals. Therefore, America’s continued use of these harmful substances in foods and sweets is something that 418’s author, Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), calls “unacceptable.” He praised Newsom for taking action in the Saturday signing.
“The Governor’s signature today represents a huge step in our effort to protect children and families in California from dangerous and toxic chemicals in our food supply,” he said in a statement, adding, “This bill will not ban any foods or products. It simply will require food companies to make minor modifications to their recipes and switch to safer alternative ingredients.”
The new bill will give companies three years to alter their ingredients or face fines. These might amount to up to $10,000, although it’s unclear whether the penalty will be applied once or whether it will accumulate every year after the three-year period.
