CALIFORNIA BANS FOUR HARMFUL FOOD ADDITIVES

CALIFORNIA BANS FOUR HARMFUL FOOD ADDITIVES

In a significant move for food safety, California has taken action to ban four common food additives: Red Dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben, through the California Food Safety Act. Governor Gavin Newsom signed this bill into law, setting the effective date for January 1, 2027. The objective of this law is to provide ample time for food brands to reformulate their products, eliminating these harmful chemicals. Violations of this law could result in fines of up to $5,000 for the first offense and up to $10,000 for subsequent violations. The prohibition of these additives carries significant implications, not only for Californians but for consumers across the United States. Let's explore what these additives are, why they have been banned, and their potential impact.
The Banned Additives and Their Common Uses
These four banned additives are typically found in ultra-processed foods. Red Dye No. 3 is a popular colorant used in red or pink icings, beverages, and candies, particularly those with cinnamon, peppermint, cherry, or berry flavors. This includes holiday-themed candies like conversation hearts, candy corn, and candy canes, as well as some brands of jelly beans. Brominated vegetable oil is primarily used as a stabilizer in citrus-flavored store-brand sodas. Potassium bromate functions as a leavening agent, and propylparaben serves as a preservative, mainly used in packaged baked goods such as tortillas, bread, and pastries.
The Reasons Behind the Ban
Research, primarily conducted on animals over the past few decades, has linked these chemicals to various health concerns, including cancer, reproductive issues, and neurobehavioral problems like hyperactivity. Some of these issues may arise from the potential effects these chemicals have on the endocrine system, which regulates hormone function in the body. This ban primarily focuses on protecting children, who are more likely to consume products containing these additives. Children are at a higher risk due to their developing organs being more vulnerable.
It's worth noting that these chemicals are already prohibited in the European Union and several other countries due to similar concerns.
Will Other States Follow Suit?
California's ban has spurred discussions in other states. New York legislators proposed a similar statewide ban, currently under consideration by the Senate Agriculture Committee. The objective is not to remove these products from supermarket shelves but to encourage food companies to adopt safer alternative ingredients, as is common in Europe. If food manufacturers reformulate for California, it could lead to more widespread changes across the United States.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) occasionally reevaluates authorized food additives in response to new research or stakeholder requests. Red Dye No. 3 and brominated vegetable oil are currently under reassessment, which could result in nationwide changes.
How Concerned Should Consumers Be?
It's unclear whether these chemicals are harmful in small amounts, and the FDA sets limits on their usage in food products. Eating the occasional candy with these additives may not be a significant concern on its own. However, since these chemicals are present in numerous food products, cumulative exposure is a real issue.
To reduce potential risks, consumers can choose fresh, unprocessed foods and scrutinize labels. Many brands have already started moving away from these additives, making it possible to find products with less harmful ingredients.
Additional Additives of Concern
While the California bill initially aimed to ban five ingredients, titanium dioxide was removed from the legislation through a State Senate amendment in September. This additive is used as a whitening agent and is found in various candies, creamy salad dressings, frozen pizzas, and ice cream. The European Union banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2022 due to concerns about its potential to damage DNA. It is worth noting that the proposed New York bill still includes titanium dioxide as a banned ingredient.

출처 : 스피쿠스

기사 제목: 캘리포니아는 4개의 해로운 식품 첨가제를 금지하다"

캘리포니아 주가 식품 안전을 위해 Red Dye No. 3, 칼륨 브로메이트, 브로미네이티드 식물성 오일, 프로필파라벤 등 네 가지 흔한 식품 첨가물 금지 조치를 취했습니다. 이 법은 2027년 1월 1일부터 시행될 예정이며, 위반 시 최대 5,000달러에서 10,000달러의 벌금이 부과될 수 있습니다. 이러한 첨가물은 주로 초가공 식품에 사용되며, 동물 연구를 통해 암, 생식 문제, 신경행동 문제 등의 건강상의 우려가 제기되었습니다. 유럽연합을 포함한 여러 국가에서 이미 금지된 이 첨가물들은 캘리포니아를 시작으로 미국 전역에 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다.

단어학습

1. Additives (첨가물): Many food products contain additives to enhance flavor and appearance.
   • 예문: The list of ingredients includes several additives that are hard to pronounce.
2. Prohibited (금지된): This term refers to something that is forbidden by law or regulation.
   • 예문: Smoking is prohibited in most public places.
3. Reformulate (재조성하다): To change the composition or formulation of a product.
   • 예문: The company decided to reformulate their drink to remove artificial sweeteners.
4. Cumulative (누적되는): Increasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions.
   • 예문: The cumulative effect of eating unhealthy food can lead to serious health problems.
5. Legislation (법률): Laws, considered collectively.
   • 예문: The new environmental legislation aims to reduce carbon emissions.

영어표현

1. 1. "Setting the effective date" (시행일을 정하다)
      • 예문: The government is setting the effective date for the new tax policy to be January 1st of next year.
        (정부는 새로운 세금 정책의 시행일을 내년 1월 1일로 정하고 있다.)
   2. "Significant implications" (중대한 영향)
      • 예문: The CEO's resignation has significant implications for the company's future direction.
        (CEO의 사임은 회사의 미래 방향에 중대한 영향을 미친다.)