Health
January 1, New Laws Target Chemicals in Our Favorite Snacks Including Gatorade, M&M’s and More
Your favorite treats may soon be facing a crisis. Officials are working to protect Americans from certain chemicals found in popular snacks. Gatorade, M&M’s, and Froot Loops are at risk due to new laws targeting potentially harmful ingredients.
On April 8, Consumer Reports (CR) revealed that at least 13 food additives are being targeted by state laws. These include azodicarbonamide, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and various color dyes. Many of these chemicals are already banned in Europe but are still allowed in the U.S. due to a “legal loophole.”
“The FDA’s system for ensuring that food additives are safe is broken,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food safety at CR. He added that “states are the only ones trying to protect them from toxic food chemicals right now.” Gatorade, Froot Loops, and M&Ms contain several dyes that are being targeted by the new laws, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
“Many of these widely used chemicals are associated with major health harms, including increased risk of cancer, developmental harm and hormone disruption,” the health advocacy organization stated. Other popular snacks containing these additives include Skittles, Nerds, Swedish Fish, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
California became the first state to prohibit certain food additives in October 2021. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Food Safety Act into law, banning four chemicals from being used in food and drinks. The act won’t go into effect until January 2027, giving companies time to reformulate their products.
New York lawmakers recently introduced two new bills targeting food chemicals. Senate Bill 6055A/Assembly Bill 6424A aims to ban seven additives, while Senate Bill 08615/Assembly Bill 9295 requires companies to disclose when they add any of these chemicals to food and drinks.
Illinois is also moving to ban food additives. A bill targeting titanium dioxide, BVO, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3 passed in the state’s Senate on April 18 and is now headed to the House. Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced two bills on March 19 aiming to ban nine toxic chemicals, including six concerning food dyes and three other chemicals.
As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.
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faye
April 25, 2024 at 7:13 pm
Way over due, but probably too late. Now we have to deal with bugs and crap! We’re a sick world.
baggo
April 25, 2024 at 7:14 pm
The Federal Government is trying to offer abortion up to and including birth. Change the sex of a small child without parent permission. Destroy law and order. Not control the Southern border. Have the biggest crook as acting President. Economy is in the tank. Gas is $5.50 a gallon. Voter fraud is everywhere. And all the feds have to do is worry about me eating a few M&M’s. You have got to be kidding me.
Elizabeth Butler
April 25, 2024 at 7:18 pm
It is way past time for our government to protect us from all this food contamination that degrades our health. If the federal government won’t –likely due to conflict of interest with corporations, then I am glad some of the states are moving to do this. When states ban ingredients, it motivates corporations to use less harmful ingredients for their products, rather than produce two versions and try to separate sales to those states.
Taxpayer
April 26, 2024 at 10:18 am
“The FDA’s system for ensuring that food additives are safe is broken.” That right there says a lot. Our federal government has been way to top heavy and broken for decades. With the election of Hoo boo Joe, we are no longer sliding down the slippery slope, we are in free fall. We will more than likely see one or more major events before November.