Why is ‘Skittles banned’ trending?
SKITTLES have been a confectionary favorite for years but there has been confusion over whether they are banned in the United States.
A proposed law concerning sweet treats led to the term "Skittles ban" trending on social media, and now consumers want to know what's going on.
Why is 'Skittles banned' trending?
The term "Skittles ban" began trending online after a law was proposed in California.
The proposed law was based on research that suggested that some of the chemicals used in the product could be linked to cancer and behavioral issues.
The chemicals included red dye, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben.
They are most often used as preservatives and color or texture enhancements and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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What bill was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom?
On October 7, 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the "Skittle ban" bill, also known as the Assembly Bill 418, into law, making it the first state in the nation to ban the commonly found food additives, which are also in cereals and sodas.
These additives include brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, Propylparaben, and red dye No. 3.
"Californians trust that the food products they consume are safe," Newsom said in a statement.
"I appreciate the author and stakeholders for working on amendments, which advance our shared public health objectives while maintaining consumer choice."
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Newsome called the law a "positive step forward," noting that it will not go into effect until 2027, giving companies "significant time" to change their recipes and avoid using "these harmful chemicals."
"Californians will still be able to access and enjoy their favorite food products, with greater confidence in the safety of such products," Newsom added.
What bill have Illinois lawmakers proposed?
On January 24, 2024, the state of Illinois is proposing a bill that will ban potentially harmful chemicals found in soda or candy.
The Illinois Food Safety Act bill will focus on five chemicals: potassium bromate, red dye No. 3, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, and potassium bromate.
Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois Secretary of State said these chemicals have been studied and linked back to an array of health issues including nervous system damage.
Giannoulias said: "You can't eat this stuff in Europe. You can't eat this stuff in Japan, but we just jam it down our kid's throats here in the United States of America. And that's not OK.
"In fact, this particular bag of Skittles comes from the European Union, which proves that companies are indeed very capable and hopefully willing to sustain product lines while complying with a number of public health laws that differ depending on the country."
The bill does not set to ban specific brands, however, it encourages food manufacturers to use better ingredients in their products.
If the bill is passed, it will go into effect on January 1, 2027.