California Governor Gavin Newsom last week signed the California Food Safety Act. While delayed until 2027, the legislation bans food products containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and red dye 3.
Newsom cited similar bans in the European Union in his announcement, saying, “There have been many misconceptions about this bill and its impacts.” In referencing a bag of Skittles from the European Union, Newsom claimed it was “demonstrable proof that the food industry is capable of maintaining product lines while complying with different public health laws, country-to-country.”
The European Union banned the food additives in question following a review in 2008. The California measure requires food makers to reformulate their products to comply with the law when selling them in the state, beginning January 1, 2027. Food manufacturers are unlikely to produce two versions of a product, thus the law is expected to impact products nationwide. Other states are considering similar measures.