As we previously blogged, a California bill co-sponsored by Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and now being debated in the California State Assembly would, if passed, ban five chemicals from being used as additives in food and drinks sold in the state. See Assembly AB 418.

On April 11, the California Assembly Health Committee met to consider the bill first introduced in February by Assembly members Jesse Gabriel and Buffy Wicks. The bill was one of 25 heard by the Committee without a quorum present, meaning a “do pass” recommendation is presently pending. The legislation seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, delivery and distribution of food products that contain brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye 3, and titanium dioxide. These targeted additives commonly found in foods marketed for children consumption have been approved by FDA, but are presently banned in the European Union due to claims that they are allegedly linked to cancer, behavioral health problems, and harm to the reproductive system.

If the bill is enacted, California would become the first state to ban chemical additives from food. After the Assembly Health Committee, AB 418 goes to the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.