More US states head to the courts to ban common ingredients in processed food.
This year, more US states are jumping on the growing trend of banning unhealthy ingredients. So far, six states are set to ban everything from unnatural food coloring to high-fructose corn syrup.
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This follows a growing trend of world-wide bans on several food additives and ingredients for health reasons. The impact of these bans, should they go into effect, will be far-reaching.
Which States are Banning Ingredients
On January 1, 2027, California will become the sixth state to ban certain commonly found food ingredients. The law will ban red No. 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and propylparaben.
Illinois and Washington have laws that, if passed, will ban the same four ingredients. New York State added the popular food colorant, titanium dioxide, to their list, making their ban consist of five ingredients.
In Indiana, high-fructose corn syrup, the ingredient in everything from candy to soft drinks, is heading to the chopping block.
Reasons for the Proposed Bans
The ban follows recent evidence that these ingredients are harmful. According to several studies, propylparaben can be harmful to reproductive health while potassium bromate and brominated vegetable oil have been linked to nervous and respiratory system harm.
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Although titanium dioxide is allowed by the FDA, several other countries have prohibited its use in food. Most notably, the European Food Safety Authority claimed it was hazardous and banned it for EU countries in 2022.
High-fructose corn syrup is consistently linked with obesity. Childhood snacks, processed foods, and most soft drinks on the US market contain the ingredient which is cheap to produce.
Potential Effects of the Bans
Many people in the food industry are raising alarms that the bans will create difficulties for cross-state trade in food products. However, other experts stress that public health is more important than trade and that companies and industries can and must adapt.
Another effect may be price. The substances on the proposed bans are all cheap to produce, making them the go-to ingredients for food and beverage companies looking to cut costs. Any increased costs from having to use healthier ingredients will fall onto the buyer.
Other states may follow suit and, with a growing push from consumers for healthier alternatives, this could become a nationwide trend. The food companies responsible for producing these substances and the products that contain them make up a multi-billion $US per year industry.