Skittles, Nerds, and other popular candies may have to change their formula or risk missing out on the California market.
In addition to Skittles, Red Dye No. 3 is also currently found in PEZ, Hot Tamales, and DubbleBubble gum. Brominated vegetable oil is typically found in citrus soft drinks while titanium oxide is often used in Nerds and other gummy candy products. Should the bill pass the California Senate, the companies would have to alter their recipes to remove the ingredients to be sold within the confines of the state.
Assembly Bill 418, proposed by Rep. Jesse Gabriel from Woodland Hills, now moves on to the state Senate for consideration.
“Today’s strong vote is a major step forward in our effort to protect children and families in California from dangerous and toxic chemicals in our food supply,” Gabriel said. “It’s unacceptable that the U.S. is so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to banning these dangerous additives.”
The Food and Drug Administration does not prohibit the compounds, but backers of the new bill say that’s because of a loophole in existing law. The chemicals are often put in processed foods to make them last longer, taste better and look more enticing.
The Hill reports the vast majority of chemical additives used by the food industry do not receive an independent review from the federal government.
