California legislators have passed a groundbreaking bill that aims to ban the sale of food and beverages containing red dye No. 3, a synthetic food coloring, along with three other potentially harmful chemicals commonly found in processed foods (potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben). If signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, a wide range of products, including gummies, ice cream cones, frostings, toaster pastries, fruit cups, chewy candies, Skittles, and Peeps, would no longer be available for sale within the state. Significantly, this would mark the first instance of a U.S. state banning food additives that are permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The California Food Safety Act has garnered support from parents who have already excluded red dye No. 3 from their households. Matt Parks, a father of three, highlights that he and his wife have been vigilant about limiting their children’s consumption of red dye No. 3. According to Parks, their younger daughter’s emotional regulation is notably impaired when she consumes the additive, leading to increased agitation and frustration.
Similarly, AJ Yarwood, a father of two, reports that his family strives to avoid red dye No. 3 due to its adverse effects on their children’s behavior. Their kids become more hyperactive and have difficulty focusing when they consume products containing the dye.
Carrie Conrad, a mother of three, recounts regrettable experiences when her children occasionally indulged in foods with red food dye, describing chaotic reactions involving screaming, running, and rebellion. Scientifically, studies have linked red dye No. 3 to behavioral issues in children.
Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, clarifies that research on red dye No. 3 is limited and demonstrates only an association rather than a direct causal relationship with health issues or behavior problems. Nevertheless, Alan underscores that red dye No. 3 provides no nutritional benefits and may pose potential harm, making the idea of its ban in foods a health-conscious move.
Dr. Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, welcomes the ban proposal, emphasizing that parents have the right to be informed about the potential effects of food additives on their children. While acknowledging limited data on red dye No. 3, Ganjian points out that conducting further research on children is ethically challenging given existing evidence from animal studies indicating potential harm.
The proposed California Food Safety Act, set to take effect in 2027 if enacted, seeks to prohibit red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben in the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of foods within the state. Notably, titanium dioxide, commonly used as a food colorant, was initially considered for inclusion but is not part of the finalized version of the bill.
For parents concerned about red dye No. 3, Jamie Alan advises choosing dye-free foods or products that use natural colorings, such as beet extract, whenever possible. However, she acknowledges that not all parents have easy access to dye-free options and recommends prioritizing food availability in such cases.