California Leads the Way in Protecting Students from Harmful Food Dyes

In a groundbreaking move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a first-of-its-kind law banning six synthetic food dyes from being served in public schools. This landmark legislation aims to safeguard the health and well-being of students by addressing the potential link between these dyes and neurobehavioral issues.

Safeguarding Student Health and Learning

Addressing the Risks of Synthetic Food Dyes

The new California law prohibits public schools from serving food and beverages containing synthetic colorings, which lawmakers believe are linked to neurobehavioral issues experienced by some children. These concerns are supported by a 2021 California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment report that found many food dyes and colorants can make some children vulnerable to behavioral difficulties and decreased attention.The banned dyes include Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, and Green Dye No. 3. Research has shown that these chemicals may pose risks to brain development, hyperactivity, and even cancer in children. With their developing bodies and lower tolerance levels, children are particularly vulnerable to the potential harms of these synthetic additives.

Protecting Children's Health and Learning

"Toxic dyes in food that put kids at higher risk for hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues that interfere with learning have no place in our schools," said Brian Ronholm, food policy director at Consumer Reports. "We've known for years that synthetic food dyes endanger our health, but the FDA has failed to take action to protect the public. California's landmark new law will help ensure that kids are not exposed to harmful dyes in food at schools that can endanger their health."The California School Food Safety Act, backed by Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group, aims to ensure that students are nourished with wholesome, safe foods that enhance their learning, rather than detract from it. "Kids deserve wholesome foods that enhance their learning rather than detract from it, and parents need to feel confident schools are offering safe and nutritious meals," said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., Environmental Working Group senior scientist.

Filling the Regulatory Gap

The California actions come in the face of the FDA's failure to adequately regulate food additives, despite the availability of new scientific evidence. Many of the synthetic dyes banned by the new law have not been reevaluated by the FDA for decades, even as research has uncovered potential health risks."The FDA continues to fail to keep us safe from harmful chemicals in our food," said Melanie Benesh, EWG's vice president for government affairs. "In the absence of federal leadership, states like California are stepping up to ensure our safety from toxic chemicals in snacks and other food we and our families enjoy."

A Landmark Victory for Student Health

The signing of the California School Food Safety Act marks a significant victory for the health and well-being of students across the state. By removing these potentially harmful synthetic dyes from school meals, California is setting a precedent for other states to follow, ensuring that children are nourished with safe, wholesome foods that support their learning and development."School meals provide essential nutrition and calories for countless children each day," said Tasha Stoiber. "Kids deserve wholesome foods that enhance their learning rather than detract from it, and parents need to feel confident schools are offering safe and nutritious meals."The California law's success is a testament to the power of consumer advocacy and the importance of prioritizing student health over the use of potentially harmful additives in food. As more states follow California's lead, the future of school nutrition promises to be brighter and healthier for students across the nation.