California’s candy ban moves one step closer to becoming law

Californian’s may soon be tasting a new, healthier rainbow.

The state’s Assembly has passed a first-of-its-kind bill that would ban the sale of any food products containing certain chemical additives – at least one of which are found in Skittles, Nerds, Hot Tamales, Sour Patch Kids, and Starbursts, as well as other popular candies and baked goods.

The bill’s sponsor, assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D), cites scientific studies that have demonstrated the role of five specific chemical additives – red dye No. 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, or propyl paraben – in increasing the risk of cancer, as well as causing behavioral issues in children, harm to the reproductive system, and damage to the immune system.

• The National Confectioners Association, which represents many chocolate and candy manufacturers, brokers, and suppliers, said in a statement that “there is no evidence to support banning the ingredients listed in the bill.”

🌈❌ So would Skittles actually be banned?... In their current form, yes. But the five additives in question are already banned in the EU, and candy manufacturers simply modify their recipes to remain compliant – something they could also do in the US. Or at least that’s the argument made by Gabriel: “If I thought this would ban Skittles, I would vote against it.”

🍬 Big picture: An FDA spokesperson claims the agency has evaluated all five additives. Though consumer advocates, as well as the California bill, say these chemicals have never been independently evaluated by the FDA or were last reviewed decades ago.