Assembly Bill (AB) 418 has been passed and is now expected to be reviewed by the California State Senate for official legislation. If it’s approved, California will be the first state that would outright ban the use of certain dangerous additives and toxic chemicals added to foods and drinks.
How Does AB 418 Affect Manufacturing & Selling?
Assembly Bill 418 seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any food product in California containing 5 key chemicals already banned in the European Union. These chemicals have been banned in the EU because of scientific studies linking them to significant health problems.
Supporters of the bill suggest that these studies illustrate the connection between the dangerous additives outlined in AB 418 and the increased risk of cancer, behavioral issues in children, harm to the reproductive system, and damage to the immune system.
California AB 418 will force companies large and small to rethink their formulas if they intend to continue selling in America’s most populous state.
What Are the Five Banned Chemicals Added to Foods?
Though several major brands and manufacturers have voluntarily stopped using these additives in their food products in light of the EU’s decision, AB 418 would require all companies — international and domestic — to make modifications to the recipes for products sold in California.
The ingredients Banned by AB 418 are:
- Red Dye No. 3 [FD&C Red No. 3]
- Titanium Dioxide
- Potassium Bromate
- Brominated Vegetable Oil
- Propyl Paraben.
Why Does AB 418 List These Chemicals As Dangerous to Your Consumers?
Interestingly, supprters of the bill also state that while some of the evidence is stronger than others, there isn’t conclusive proof that any of the above banned ingredients actually cause adverse health conditions in people.
However, Assembly Bill 418 intends to prohibit these food additives as there could be a risk.
Brominated vegetable oil, for instance, has often been linked to neurological abnormalities like balance problems and memory problems. But, only when consumed in high amounts.
Red dye No. 3 is already banned in cosmetics as it is a known carcinogen and research in California has linked it to behavioral problems in children.
Titanium dioxide, a chemical common in sunscreens, is a possible carcinogen that can also irritate mucous membranes like the eyes, nose, and throat.
Potassium bromate is often found in various soft drinks and is suspected to cause issues with hearing and kidney function, whereas Propylparaben is thought to be a reproductive toxin that can cause hormonal disturbances.
Prepare For AB 418 Legislative Changes Now
The last thing a food and beverage manufacturer wants is to be deemed non compliant by the state of California and lose both market share and precious revenue if and when the bill goes into effect January 1st, 2025.
Registrar Corp can help your business stay ahead of national FDA regulatory changes and keep your food product on U.S. shelves. Discover how our expert label and ingredient reviews give you both peace of mind and prepare you for future compliance.
