New California law bans school meals containing synthetic food colors

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a California bill banning the use of certain synthetic substances in school meals in the state. House Bill 2316 prohibits a school district, district superintendent, or charter school that has kindergarten or grades one through twelve from serving meals containing the additional food colorings Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3. It would also prohibit the sale of any food or drink containing these materials, except for school fundraisers. The bill's author, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, cited a California Environmental Protection Agency report that found food coloring additives are linked to adverse health effects in children. These include cancer, immune system damage, neurobehavioral problems and hyperactivity. “California is once again leading the way when it comes to protecting our children from dangerous chemicals that can harm their bodies and impair their ability to learn,” Gabriel said in a news release. “This bipartisan legislation will empower schools to better protect the health and well-being of students and sends a strong signal to manufacturers to stop using these harmful additives.” AB 2316 is a first-in-the-nation measure to directly combat Food dyes found in foods such as candy, cakes, cereal, yogurt, pudding, gelatin, and ice cream. Some of the more popular candies and snacks that contain Red 40 include Skittles, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers and M&Ms. “Our health is inextricably linked to the food we eat – but fresh, healthy food is not always available or affordable for families,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his signing of AB 2316 and other food-related legislation. “Today we refuse to accept the status quo and enable everyone, including school children, to have access to nutritious, delicious foods without harmful and often addictive additives. By giving every child a healthy start, we can set them on a path to a future with lower risk of obesity and chronic disease.” AB 2316 follows the signing of the California Food Safety Act last year, another first in the nation on the four Chemicals banned: Red 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben. Gabriel also wrote this bill. The new measure will come into force on December 31, 2027. Similar to the California Food Safety Act, the bill will not ban specific foods or products, but will encourage companies to adjust the way they make their products. Support for the bill includes California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond , the Environmental Working Group, Consumer Reports and a coalition of more than 70 organizations representing doctors, teachers, nurses, scientists, environmentalists and consumer advocates. According to a bill analysis, the Consumer Brands Association, a trade association for food manufacturers, is against the bill. It argues that the “measure usurps the comprehensive food safety and approval system for these dyes, would limit the availability of wholesome and wholesome foods, and eliminate common fundraising opportunities for sports teams and student clubs.” Do you have photos or videos of one? Incident? If so, upload it to KCRA.com/upload. Be sure to include your name and other details so we can give you the right credit online and on TV. For more coverage of top California stories, click here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter