California has passed a groundbreaking bill that will require candy companies and food manufacturers to change their recipes within three years or face fines. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill, known as the 'Skittles ban,' into law on Saturday. The legislation targets four common additives that have been linked to cancer, diseases, and mood disorders.
The banned additives include brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No.3, all of which are found in approximately 12,000 products sold in the state, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Under the new law, food companies operating in California will have a three-year window to remove these ingredients from their products, or they could face fines of up to $10,000.
Supporters of the ban have praised it as a significant step in safeguarding food safety. However, food companies have expressed concerns, describing the move as confusing and potentially leading to higher food prices.
Notably, an earlier version of the ban included titanium dioxide, which is used in products like Skittles, but this component was removed from the final legislation in September, hence the nickname 'Skittles ban.'
The ban is set to take effect in January 2027, and companies found manufacturing, distributing, or selling products containing these additives after that date could face penalties of up to $10,000. Governor Newsom explained that the law represents a positive step forward until the FDA establishes national regulations regarding these additives. Several other states, including New York, are also considering similar bans on these harmful chemicals in food products. The European Union had also previously prohibited these additives in foods, prompting companies to make adjustments to their products.