BANNED! Popular Chips and Snacks Declared “DANGEROUS” by Officials

Students in California may soon face a shift in snack options as a new legislative proposal edges closer to becoming law. On Thursday, lawmakers forwarded a bill to Governor Gavin Newsom that, if signed, will ban the distribution and sale of products containing six specific food dyes in California public and charter schools.

The targeted dyes—Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3—are common additives in many popular snacks and foods. These synthetic dyes are typically used to enhance the color, flavor, and texture of food products. However, concerns over their potential health risks have prompted action, with the proposed ban set to take effect in 2028, if approved.

The bill’s impact will be limited to schools, meaning the sale of these products elsewhere in California will remain unaffected. However, within the state’s public and charter schools, snacks like Cheetos, known for their bold colors and flavors, may soon be a thing of the past. The popular Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, for example, contains Red 40, a dye derived from petroleum, as well as Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which provide its distinct spicy hue.

Cheetos are just one example. Doritos, another favorite snack, also contains Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. If the bill passes, these, too, would be banned from California schools. Even breakfast staples like Froot Loops and Fruity Pebbles, which rely on Yellow and Red dyes, as well as Blue 1, would be removed from school shelves.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, who authored the bill, expressed his concerns about the safety of these synthetic dyes, particularly their impact on children. Gabriel shared on social media platform X, “We have seen troubling evidence that these chemicals can harm kids and affect their ability to learn.”

Gabriel’s stance is backed by a growing body of research linking food dyes to various health issues. A state study cited by Gabriel points to a connection between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity, as well as other neurological and behavioral problems in children.

If Governor Newsom signs the bill, it will also prohibit the use of titanium dioxide, a common coloring agent used in products beyond food, such as sunscreens, cosmetics, paints, and plastics. The proposed legislation adds this chemical to the list of banned substances in California schools, marking a significant step towards stricter regulation of potentially harmful additives.

Research on the effects of food dyes has intensified over the past decade, raising questions about their safety. A 2012 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified Red 3 as a carcinogen in animal studies. The same research found that Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 could be contaminated with carcinogens like benzidine, which may increase cancer risk.

Despite these findings, NIH researchers indicated that the dyes offer no nutritional benefits and called for their removal from foods, though they acknowledged that more toxicity testing is needed.

Further studies have continued to shed light on the dangers of food dyes. A study published in December 2022 by McMaster University in Nature Communications linked the daily consumption of Red 40 to an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Lead researcher Professor Waliul Khan described the findings as “a significant advancement in public health,” noting that “this study demonstrates significant harmful effects of Allura Red on gut health and identifies gut serotonin as a critical factor mediating these effects.”

Khan’s research also pointed to broader implications, suggesting that Allura Red could be a dietary trigger for IBDs and might contribute to allergies, immune disorders, and behavioral problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “What we have found is striking and alarming,” Khan stated, emphasizing the need for public awareness of the potential harms posed by synthetic food dyes.

Although research continues to reveal the possible dangers of Red 40 and similar dyes, the debate remains unresolved. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently approves the use of these dyes, even as countries like Norway, Finland, France, Austria, and the United Kingdom have banned them.

As California moves toward potentially banning these additives in schools, the conversation about food safety and regulation continues to evolve, reflecting growing concerns over the ingredients we consume daily. If the bill is enacted, California may set a precedent for other states to follow, potentially reshaping the landscape of food safety in schools across the nation.