Current:Home > MarketsCalifornia could ban Flamin' Hot Cheetos and other snacks in schools under new bill -FundSphere
California could ban Flamin' Hot Cheetos and other snacks in schools under new bill
View
Date:2025-04-17 09:18:16
Snacks such as Flamin' Hot Cheetos may soon be banned in California schools. A bill proposed in the state assembly seeks remove foods from schools that contain artificial ingredients like red 40, blue 1 and titanium dioxide. Many child-focused foods like chips and cereals contain these ingredients.
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.
Some soups, mac and cheese brands and other foods can contain titanium dioxide, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which has long advocated for the banning of foods with the substance and synthetic dyes.
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 current rules state foods given to students must be a fruit, vegetable, dairy, protein or whole grain item. The rules also set standards for calories, sugars and fats in these foods.
Democratic California Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel wants to amend the rules so that all schools – public, charter or a state special school – cannot sell or provide foods with blue 1, blue 2, green 3, red 40, titanium dioxide, yellow 5 and yellow 6.
In a social media post announcing the bill, Gabriel said these chemicals are "linked to serious health concerns including DNA damage, cancer, hyperactivity, and neurobehavioral issues from food served to students."
A 2012 study by the National Institutes of Health found red 3 causes cancer in animals and red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6 have been found to be contaminated with carcinogens like benzidine, which can increase risk of developing cancer.
Blue 1, red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6 cause hypersensitivity reactions – an exaggerated immune response to allergens – and rodent studies of yellow 5 were positive for genotoxicity, which cause cell mutations that could lead to cancer, according to NIH.
NIH recommended that since these dyes don't improve nutrition of foods, they should be removed. They said, however, more toxicity testing is required.
The Food and Drug Administration approves the use of dyes in foods and requires evidence that a color additive is safe before being added to products. It also requires manufactures to include on product labels which of these ingredients are used.
The administration has sent out warning letters when dye usages were not disclosed – like when yellow 6 in dehydrated papaya or blue 1 in noodle products were undeclared. They have a list of products have have received warnings for not declaring use of these ingredients.
The FDA says they cannot be absolutely certain of the risk of these ingredients due to limits in sciene. "Therefore, the FDA must determine – based on the best science available º if there is a reasonable certainty of no harm to consumers when a color additive is used as proposed," the administration says. "The FDA does not approve the use of a color additive that is found to induce cancer in people or animals."
The FDA looks at several factors when considering these ingredients, including the amount that would typically be consumed and the immediate and long term effects.
In 2023, California became the first state to ban four food additives – red dye no. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propyl paraben – according to CBS San Francisco.
These additives are used in foods like Peeps, the sugar-coated marshmallow treats typical sold at Easter. An original version of that bill included titanium dioxide, which is found in Skittles, but it was amended in the Senate and taken out of the legislation.
The European Union has banned several food additives that are allowed in the U.S., including titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, azodicarbonamide and propylparaben.
- In:
- California
Caitlin O'Kane is a New York City journalist who works on the CBS News social media team as a senior manager of content and production. She writes about a variety of topics and produces "The Uplift," CBS News' streaming show that focuses on good news.
veryGood! (142)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Marvin Harrison Jr. Q&A: Ohio State WR talks NFL draft uncertainty, New Balance deal
- The Best Personalized & Unique Gifts For Teachers That Will Score an A+
- Lakers, 76ers believe NBA officiating left them in 0-2 holes. But that's not how it works
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Phish fans are famously dedicated. What happens when they enter the Sphere?
- Former cop accused of murder, abduction, found with self-inflicted gunshot wound after manhunt, officials say
- NFL draft has been on tour for a decade and the next stop is Detroit, giving it a shot in spotlight
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- New Beyoncé documentary: Watch trailer for 'Call Me Country' by CNN on Max
Ranking
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Nikola Jokic’s brother reportedly involved in an altercation after the Nuggets beat the Lakers
- In Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets,' the torture is in the songwriting
- Vibrant and beloved ostrich dies after swallowing zoo staffer's keys, Kansas zoo says
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Poland ready to host NATO nuclear weapons, President Andrzej Duda says
- What to know in the Supreme Court case about immunity for former President Trump
- Proof Pregnant Vanessa Hudgens Won’t Be Sticking to Status Quo After Welcoming Baby
Recommendation
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Ritz giving away 24-karat gold bar worth $100,000 in honor of its latest 'Buttery-er' cracker
Chicago woman convicted of killing, dismembering landlord, hiding some remains in freezer
Maine’s governor signs bill to protect providers of abortion, gender-affirming care
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Man charged with starting a fire outside U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office pleads not guilty
Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell arrested on suspicion of burglary after being found in home
4,000 Cybertrucks sold: Recall offers glimpse at Tesla's rank in rocky electric truck market