Some states are banning popular snacks, why?

A number of states across the country have decided to ban a number of popular snacks because of concerns over food or color additives.  However, other states are relying on the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to make these decisions. 

Which states and which food additives?

• California has passed a law known as the “Skittles Ban”.  This law prohibits certain potentially carcinogenic food chemicals like brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3. This law won’t take effect until 2027. 

• Other states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri are considering similar bans on food additives.  New York is considering a similar ban to California and includes the same food additives but also adds titanium dioxide.

What are the health concerns and health risks states are concerned about?

• Red Dye No. 3:  Consumer Reports has an article about Why Is Red Dye No. 3 Banned in Cosmetics but Still Allowed in Food?  As noted in the article, FDA banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in cosmetics over 30 years ago because it is linked to cancer in animals.  But Red Dye No. 3 has been allowed in foods since 1907.  You will see this dye on ingredient lists as “FD&C Red No. 3”.  Why is it still in foods?  Because FDA has ruled it is safe in the amounts we typically consume.  The health concern over this dye is that it may lead to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in kids. 
• Potassium Bromate:  This chemical is used in bread to help “strengthen the texture of bread”.  In rats, it is linked to cancer and may be related to kidney problems in humans.    
• Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO):  It is used in small amounts in fruit flavored beverages to keep the flavoring from floating to the top.  However, today very few beverages contain this ingredient.  FDA decided BVO was safe in the late 1950’s and 1960’s.  But by the late 1960’s, FDA was getting concerns over its safety.  Thus, FDA begin restricting its use and amounts allowed.  On November 2, 2023, FDA has issued a proposed rule that essentially would ban the use of BVO in foods.   EWG indicates BVO “can harm the nervous system”. 

What foods may contain these food additives?

• Red Dye No. 3:  Skittles contains this red dye, and that is why it is called the “Skittles Ban” in California.  But it can be found in over 2,900 food products.  Look at the ingredient list and you may find it in gumdrops, peppermints, strawberry flavored drinks like “Nesquik, Pediasure, Ensure and Yoo-hoo”. 
• Potassium Bromate:  This can be found not only in breads, but also bagels, Englis muffins, crackers, some pastries, and pizza crusts.  An article in Eating Well, noted that a substitute for potassium bromate would be ascorbic acid, better known as Vitamin C.  I just read the label from our just purchased whole wheat bread.  No potassium bromate but they did list ascorbic acid so companies are now shifting from potassium bromate to ascorbic acid.  

• BVO:  USA Today notes that California banned BVO in October 2023 and this oil is banned in Europe and Japan.  EWG found that BVO is in some 90 products, mostly sodas such as “Sun Drop, Orangette and Great Value Fruit Punch”. 

What can you do to avoid these additives?

• Read the ingredient list.  Not all bread, crackers, etc. contain Potassium Bromate.  I just looked at our box of Triscuits, no artificial additives.  Triscuit ingredients are “whole grain wheat, canola oil, sea salt”.  My daughter likes Dave’s Killer Bread English Muffins which also has no potassium bromate.
• Choose real foods.  Real, 100% juice would not have artificial dyes.  However, juice drinks, juice cocktails, fruit drinks, fruit punches often have artificial food coloring.  (See:  Are you drinking real juice or fake juice?).  We switched to using real butter because the margarine had so many ingredients.  (See:  Butter or Margarine? ).  Since butter may be hard to spread, we buy the Land O Lakes Butter with Canola Oil  The ingredients are:  Sweet cream, canola oil and salt.   
• Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. 
• Cook and bake and make your own dishes from scratch.  Then you can control the ingredients. 

Conclusion:  Remember to read food labels carefully, especially the ingredient list.  Choose whole, minimally processed foods when you can.  Opting for a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains can help minimize exposure to additives and promote overall health. 

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