Synthetic food dyes cause hyperactivity and neurobehavioral problems in certain children, and are carcinogenic
California has become the first US state to ban school cafeterias from serving foods containing six artificial colors that are extremely hazardous to health and cause physical and mental health problems. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed Assembly Bill 2316 into law, in accordance with the California School Food Safety Act, which bans red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1, blue 2 and green 3 in meals, drinks and snacks served in public schools.
The legislation, introduced in March of this year by Democratic Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, three years after a state report linked the consumption of synthetic food dyes to hyperactivity and neurobehavioral problems in certain children, aims to reduce unhealthy foods in the children’s dishes.
In 2021, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment also found an association of behavioral problems in some children without a diagnosis of ADHD. “Overall, our review of human studies suggests that synthetic food dyes are associated with adverse neurobehavioral effects, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and restlessness in sensitive children,” the study says. “Evidence supports an association between exposure to food dyes and adverse behavioral outcomes in children, both with and without pre-existing behavioral disorders.”
Colorful food dyes also linked to cancer
Many extensive studies have also shown that most dyes used in foods such as hamburgers, ice cream, candy, and baked goods can be carcinogenic and cause cancer.
The law will also keep popular snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Fruity Pebbles and Starburst out of the hands of schoolchildren in the western state.
Earlier this week, Gabriel expressed his happiness that Newsom signed the bill. “We’re really proud of the fact that we’re changing the national conversation about food security,” he said. “It is very clear that these are chemicals that can harm children and interfere with their ability to learn,” Gabriel added.
What does the law say?
According to experts, the law does not prohibit any food, but forces manufacturers to eliminate artificial colorings from their recipes and replace them with natural alternatives, such as carrot or beet juice, something that many companies are already doing for their consumers in the Union. European. .
News reports say the law will take effect on December 31, 2027, giving manufacturers enough time to reformulate their recipes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the law comes as the number of diagnoses of ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people of all ages but is most common in children and adolescents with its persistent pattern characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity that can interfere with daily life, which has had an increasing trend in recent years.
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