California public school students may no longer be able to grab some of their favorite snacks.
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Doritos, and Takis might soon disappear from the shelves of some of the state’s schools if Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) gets his way. He’s pushing a fresh bill that would bar public schools from offering snacks containing certain additives, such as six artificial food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 6, commonly found in the chip brands. As we know, Takis has recently been in the news as gastrointestinal doctors have called out the chips for causing upset stomachs and inflammation when consumed in excess. However, Gabriel maintains that he isn’t necessarily interested in standing between students and their comfort food.
“This legislation isn’t about banning specific foods or products. It’s about nudging companies to tweak their offerings if they want to keep them on the menu in California’s public schools, which, let’s face it, is a significant market,” he explained.
Last year, the state made headlines by becoming the pioneer in banning four chemicals present in popular candies and beverages due to their suspected health risks. The cafeteria offering could be limited by implementing a school-specific ban on harmful products, especially with millions of free lunches and breakfasts offered in public schools.
Additionally, Gabriel’s latest proposal could affect other popular school treats such as Jolly Ranchers, Sour Patch Kids, and Mountain Dew. It’s unknown when a final decision will be made.
