California Legislator Introduces Bill Removing Artificial Colors from Foods Served in Schools

A groundbreaking bill, known as Assembly Bill 2316, has been introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel in California.

Proposed California Bill Could Ban Food Dyes Served Within Schools

The legislation aims to prevent the inclusion of seven additives, including Red 40 and six others related to possible health and behavioral concerns, in foods served in public schools across the state.

The proposed ban covers artificial food dyes associated with hyperactivity, such as titanium dioxide, and seeks to make California the first state to enforce such restrictions in schools.

Assembly Bill 2316 targets cereals, condiments, baked goods, and other items, with the goal of encouraging companies to make minor modifications to their products if they want to continue selling them in California public schools.

The bill, set to be carried out in 2025 if enacted this year, would not ban specific foods or products but rather aims to prompt the use of natural substitutes like turmeric, beet juice, or pomegranate juice for coloring.

In addition to prohibiting titanium dioxide, the bill targets Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 in school-served foods.

Despite the FDA's stance on synthetic dyes not causing behavioral problems in the general population, Gabriel refers to a 2021 California assessment suggesting an association even in children without ADHD diagnoses.

Artificial Colors in Food Correlates to Behavioral Problems

Gabriel, citing the rise in ADHD diagnoses nationally, expresses concern over schools serving foods that could worsen symptoms of the disorder.

The proposed legislation has faced criticism from trade associations like the International Association of Color Manufacturers and the International Food Additives Council, while supporters argue that a federal regulator should address food safety concerns to avoid the need for state-level initiatives like AB 2316.

A 2021 investigation by the California Environmental Protection Agency revealed that "synthetic food dyes are associated with adverse neurobehavioral effects, such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and restlessness" in certain children.

However, the Food and Drug Administration contends that "most children have no adverse effects," and an FDA panel has asserted insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the dyes and behavioral issues.

Apart from concerns related to behavior, studies examining the components of many of the proposed chemicals have connected them to cancer.

Nonetheless, the FDA asserts that food dyes consumed within approved regulatory levels are considered safe. For instance, Red 40 contains benzene, and Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 contain benzidine, both recognized as cancer-causing substances.

If the bill passes, a minimal percentage of items sold in California schools would be affected, according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group, a co-sponsor of the bill.

The organization emphasizes the need for a credible federal regulator and underscores the significance of ensuring the safety of everyday food chemicals.

This legislative move follows the passage of the California Food Safety Act in the previous year, which Gabriel also introduced, banning four food additives linked to potential health issues and making California the first state to outlaw these chemicals allowed by the FDA. Other states have since introduced similar bills attempting to ban certain food additives.