Pennsylvania State Congresswoman Natalie Michalek introduced it this way. House Bill 2116; Ban certain substances in food within the state.
Today, Representative Michalek, Representative Melissa Shusterman, and Senator Devlin Robinson will host a press conference on this bill. Pennsylvania would be the fourth state to consider such a bill, following California, New York, and Illinois.
This time, National Confectionery Association reports that it is “working to clear up misconceptions about food additives and inform policy makers and consumers about the real science and policy process behind this issue.”
“Enough is enough. Pennsylvania is the latest in a string of states to propose dismantling the nation’s food safety system in an emotion-driven campaign with no scientific backing,” said NCA Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Communications. , said Chris Gindlesperger. “FDA is the only agency in America that can stop this sensational agenda that is not based in facts or science. It’s time for FDA Commissioner Khalifa to wake up and get in the game.”
But Consumer Reports, as expected, supported a Pennsylvania bill to protect the state’s consumers from some harmful food colors and additives.
Consumer Reports blames state laws banning “unsafe ingredients in food” on inaction by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at the federal level.
“Dangerous dyes and additives, which have been shown to cause cancer and other serious health and behavioral problems, cannot be added to our food,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. It should not be used.” “Unfortunately, despite the well-documented risks these toxic food chemicals pose to our health, the FDA has not taken steps to protect the public from these toxic By banning dyes and additives, these bills will protect Pennsylvanians and make our food safer.”
Under a bill introduced by Representatives Michalek and Shusterman, Pennsylvania would ban synthetic coloring (Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2) in food products.
Red 3 was banned by the FDA for use in cosmetics and skin care products decades ago, but it is still allowed for use in food.
Consumer Reports cites recent research linking these food dyes to behavioral problems in children, including inattention, learning difficulties, and restlessness.
Another bill introduced by Representatives Michalek and Shusterman would ban potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oils (BVO), and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids (BHA), all of which are associated with cancer and other health risks. are associated with an increased risk of adverse effects.
A similar bill passed the California state legislature in 2023.
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