State Senator Willie Preston, the original sponsor of SB2637 | Illinois Assembly
State Senator Willie Preston, the original sponsor of SB2637 | Illinois Assembly
A group of Democrat State Senators are seeking to ban the red dye used in the popular candy, Skittles, as well as several other food additives, claiming they are unhealthy.
State Senators Willie Preston (D-Chicago), Robert Peters (D-Chicago), Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet), Adriane Johnson (D-Waukegan), Natalie Toro (D-Chicago), Emil Jones (D-Chicago), and Michael W. Halpin (D-Rock Island) are sponsoring Senate Bill 2637, which would bar the sale of food products that contain "brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or red dye 3."
They filed the bill last November 7. It passed the Senate Public Health Committee by a 5-3 vote, with five Democrats for and three Republicans against, on Feb. 21, and is awaiting a State Senate floor vote.
"Long favored for its stability and intensely bright pink and cherry red hues, Red dye 3 has been the go-to... color for a wide variety of applications—from candy coatings, frosting, gummies, cereals and nutritional drinks to products requiring a prolonged shelf life," according to Exberry, which makes a competing product.
Potassium Bromate is "used as a flour improver to strengthen dough an help it rise during baking," according to Eating Well Magazine.
California banned the additives last October.
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) criticized the California law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“They’re making decisions based on soundbites rather than science, “ NCA said. “Governor Newsom’s approval of this bill will undermine consumer confidence and create confusion around food safety.”
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