Democratic California legislator Jesse Gabriel, who introduced a law banning the chemicals found in Skittles candy, is now pushing to ban certain food dyes in schools.
A bill to remove artificial ingredients from schools, such as red 40, blue 1, and titanium dioxide, has been proposed in the California State Assembly.
“Cheetos varieties, including the popular and spicy Flamin’ Hot version, and other chips such as Doritos include colorings red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6 – all on the list of ingredients that would be banned if the bill is enacted. Cereals like Froot Loops and Fruity Pebbles also include these yellow and red dyes as well as blue 1. Candies like Jolly Ranchers also contain these ingredients,” CBS News reported.
“In existing California law, the state’s education department must uphold nutritional guidelines when serving food on campus. Free lunch and breakfast is available to all all students kindergarten through 12th grade in the state,” the report continued.
The current rules state foods given to students must be a fruit, vegetable, dairy, protein or whole grain item.
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, red 3 causes cancer in animals, and yellow 5 and 6 are contaminated with carcinogens such as benzidine.
California was reportedly the first state to ban four food additives – red dye no. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben.
