California Bans Six Food Dyes in School Food

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the California School Food Safety Act on Sept. 28, the first law in the U.S. to ban six dyes from food served in the state’s public schools.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) authored the law, which bans Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2 and Green Dye No. 3. The chemicals have been found to cause neurobehavioral problems in some children, according to a report by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

Last year, Gabriel authored, and Newsom signed into law, the California Food Safety Act, which banned potassium bromate, propylparaben, brominated vegetable oil and Red 3 in food manufactured, delivered and sold in the state.

Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) cosponsored the California School Food Safety Act.

“School meals provide essential nutrition and calories for countless children each day,” said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., Environmental Working Group senior scientist. “Kids deserve wholesome foods that enhance their learning rather than detract from it, and parents need to feel confident schools are offering meals that are both safe and nutritious.”

Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, added, “Toxic dyes in food that put kids at higher risk for hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues that interfere with learning have no place in our schools. We’ve known for years that synthetic food dyes endanger our health, but the FDA has failed to take action to protect the public.

“California’s landmark new law will help ensure that kids are not exposed to harmful dyes in food at schools that can endanger their health. Consumer Reports applauds Assemblymember Gabriel for championing this critical food safety legislation and thanks Governor Newsom for signing it into law.”