In a groundbreaking decision, California becomes the first state in the nation to ban food from school cafeterias containing six artificial dyes linked to health and behavioral problems in children.
The new law, part of the California School Food Safety Act, prohibits the use of six artificial dyes in food and beverages served in public schools: Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3. The law will take effect on December 31, 2027, and will affect more than 10,000 schools in California, which has the largest public school system serving more than 6.3 million students.
The bill comes after multiple studies, including the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Report Synthetic food dyes have been linked to ADHD and neurobehavioral problems in some children.
“Overall, our review of human studies suggests that synthetic food dyes are associated with adverse neurobehavioral effects, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and irritability in sensitive children. Evidence supports a link between food dye exposure and adverse behavioral outcomes in children of relationships, whether children or children.
However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Report In 2019, a causal link between consumption of synthetic color additives and behavioral effects in children could not be established. After the California bill was proposed, the FDA said it would reassess the safety of chemicals in food once new relevant data becomes available.
“FDA reviewed research on the effects of color additives on children's behavior, including a review of the literature cited in the bill. The total scientific evidence shows that most children do not experience adverse effects when they eat foods containing color additives, but some evidence suggests that some Some children may be sensitive to them,” the statement said read.
Research also shows that some dyes may cause cancer.
“Our health is inseparable from the food we eat, but families don't always have access or affordability to fresh, healthy food. Today, we refuse to accept the status quo and make nutrition accessible to everyone, including school children By giving every child a healthy start with , great-tasting foods without harmful and often addictive additives, we can put them on a path to a future that reduces the risk of obesity and chronic disease,” said California Governor Gavin New Sem said in a statement. Press release.
“As a legislator, a parent and someone with ADHD, I find it unacceptable that we allow schools to serve foods containing additives linked to cancer, ADHD and neurobehavioral harm,” explain California Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel introduced the legislation in March.