Map shows 11 US states that ban food dyes

California is the first state in the country to ban certain food dyes – and other states may soon follow suit.

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning foods containing one of six widely used food dyes in schools over concerns they could cause behavior and attention problems in some children: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3 , Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.

“California is once again leading the nation in protecting our children from dangerous chemicals that can harm their bodies and impair their ability to learn,” said Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, who authored the bill.

Color additives have long been used in food production in the United States and around the world, and many are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some dyes, particularly Red Dye 3, are of concern to food safety experts and consumers because they are reportedly linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Which states could ban food dyes?

After California, nine other states are currently working on laws that would ban certain types of food dyes and other additives. These are:

• Illinois – Red Dye 3
• Maryland – Red Dye 3
• Missouri – Red Dye 3
• New Jersey – Red Dye 3
• New York – Red Dye 3
• Pennsylvania – Red Dye 3, Red Dye 40, Yellow Dye 5, Yellow Dye 6, Blue Dye 1 and Blue Dye 2
• Rhode Island – Red Dye 3
• South Dakota – Red Dye 3
• Washington – Red Dye 3
• West Virginia – Red Dye 3

All of these states currently have proposed legislation that would ban the use of certain dyes nationwide, not just in schools. Red Dye 3 or Erythrosine is a color additive made from petroleum that gives foods and drinks a bright cherry red color. According to an Environmental Working Group database, more than 2,700 products available for purchase in the United States contain Red Dye 3.

Are food dyes harmful to you?

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which supported the California bill, several studies have linked the use of Red Dye 3 to the development or worsening of “hyperactivity, inattention and other behavioral problems in children.”

Dr. Jamie Alan, an associate professor in the department of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, said in an interview with Contemporary Pediatrics last year that studies have shown a “link between Red Dye 3 consumption and an increase or worsening of ADHD symptoms.” have and children.”

He said Red Dye 3 is often used “in combination with other dyes and other preservatives,” so some research may be limited because it's “really very difficult to separate the effects” of Red Dye 3 from “the other preservatives or others.” Dyes” to separate “products” that may be used in a food product.

However, WebMD reports that no studies have shown a conclusive link between food coloring and ADHD. “However, some studies suggest a connection between the two,” says an article on the website. “Most likely, ADHD is caused by a combination of changes in brain structure, environmental factors and heredity.”

“Reassessing the safety of chemicals in food as new, relevant data becomes available is a priority for the FDA,” the FDA said in a statement in August when the California bill was passed by the Legislature.

“The FDA has reviewed research on the effects of color additives on children’s behavior, including the literature review cited in the bill. The totality of scientific evidence shows that most children do not experience any adverse effects from consuming foods with added colors, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them.

Newsweek I reached out to the FDA via email outside of regular work hours to request further comment.

In 1990, the FDA rejected an application to approve the use of Red Dye 3 in cosmetics and topical medications because it was found to have carcinogenic effects in animals.

“The way Red No. 3 causes cancer in animals, particularly rats, does not occur in humans, so these animal results have limited relevance to humans,” the FDA website states.