Image showing banned candy

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NGSS: Core Idea: PS1.A, ETS2.B

CCSS: Literacy in Science: 4

TEKS: 6.5B, 7.5B, 8.5B, C.3C

Treat Ban?

Lawmakers want to ban potentially harmful chemicals added to foods that include some Halloween treats

Update: On October 7, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning four food additives: red dye No. 3, propylparaben, potassium bromate, and brominated vegetable oil. The ban will go into effect starting January 2027.

Update: On October 7, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning four food additives: red dye No. 3, propylparaben, potassium bromate, and brominated vegetable oil. The ban will go into effect starting January 2027.

As you read, think about why certain ingredients in processed foods may be bad for your health.

This Halloween, kids will go door-to-door seeking treats. But according to California lawmakers, certain snacks shouldn’t get tossed into trick-or-treaters’ bags. That’s because they contain chemicals that could be harmful to your health.

Recently, California’s State Assembly considered a bill to ban five common food additives: titanium dioxide, red dye No. 3, propylparaben, potassium bromate, and brominated vegetable oil. These chemicals are often added to processed foods—like chips, candy, and other snacks—to enhance their flavor, freshness, or appearance. In the end, the lawmakers decided not to include titanium dioxide in the bill after all. As of press time, Governor Newsom had not signed the bill into law. But if he does, it will force manufacturers to stop using the other four ingredients in foods sold in California. This also would likely affect products sold throughout the U.S.

Some studies have linked all five chemicals to health problems like increased cancer risks and behavioral issues in kids. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of food additives. Critics of the bill cite that the chemicals meet the FDA’s safety standards. But those backing the bill believe the additives require more scrutiny. They point to Europe and other parts of the world that have long banned these chemicals, swapping them for additives deemed safer. The same could be done in the U.S., they say.

These additives aren’t the only potential problem with processed foods. Many often contain high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. It’s better to eat fewer processed foods in general, says environmental chemist Tasha Stoiber, and healthier to “eat mostly whole foods like fruits and vegetables.” Stoiber works at the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that researches the safety of products. However, Stoiber also says that indulging in cake or candy is fine once in a while. “Those foods are part of celebrating!”

This Halloween, crowds of costumed kids will go door-to-door and ask for treats. But some lawmakers in California are concerned. They say certain candies and snacks don’t belong in trick-or-treaters’ bags. That’s because they contain chemicals that could harm people’s health.

California’s State Assembly was set to vote on a bill when this article was published. The bill could ban five common food additives. They are titanium dioxide, red dye No. 3, propylparaben, potassium bromate, and brominated vegetable oil. These chemicals are often added to processed foods, like chips, candy, and other snacks. The purpose is to improve their flavor, freshness, or appearance. If the law passed, manufacturers would have to stop using these ingredients in foods sold in California. And this would likely affect products sold all over the U.S.

Some studies have linked these five chemicals to health problems. They include increased cancer risks and behavioral issues in kids. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of food additives. Some people criticize the bill. They say that the chemicals meet the FDA’s safety standards. But others support the bill. They believe the additives need more study. Europe and other parts of the world have long banned these chemicals. Instead, they use additives considered safer. The same could be done in the U.S., supporters say.     

These additives aren’t the only possible problem with processed foods. Many often contain high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. It’s better to eat fewer processed foods in general, says environmental chemist Tasha Stoiber. She says it’s healthier to “eat mostly whole foods like fruits and vegetables.” Stoiber works at the Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C. This nonprofit organization researches the safety of products. But Stoiber also says that eating cake, cookies, or candy is fine now and then. “Those foods are part of celebrating!” 

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SHINY STUFF

SHINY STUFF

Titanium Dioxide: California lawmakers decided not to include this additive—which gives some candies a shine—in their final bill. Europe banned the chemical in 2022 after scientists found that, when ingested, it damages DNA—the molecule that carries hereditary information. Consuming titanium dioxide has also been shown to harm the body’s disease-fighting immune system.

Titanium Dioxide: This additive gives some candies a colorful shine. It also whitens powdered doughnuts. But scientists discovered that it damages DNA, the molecule that carries hereditary information. So Europe banned the chemical in 2022. Titanium dioxide also harms the body’s disease-fighting immune system, studies show. Dunkin’ has already stopped using it. So have some other companies.

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RED ALERT

RED ALERT

Red Dye No. 3: More than 2,000 food products get their red or orange color from this chemical. The European Union banned the dye in 1994 after studies linked it to an increased risk of cancer and behavioral problems. That includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which makes it difficult for children to focus.

Red Dye No. 3: More than 2,000 food products contain this chemical. It colors them red or orange. The European Union banned the dye in 1994. That’s because studies linked it to an increased risk of cancer and behavioral problems. One is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This condition makes it difficult for children to focus.

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NOT SO FRESH

NOT SO FRESH

Propylparaben: This preservative is used to increase a product’s shelf-life, so it stays fresher longer. It was banned in Europe in 2006 after being linked to disorders of the endocrine system—the body system responsible for growth, development, and reproduction. Propylparaben is no longer used in many foods in the U.S. but can still be found in some baked goods. Affordable store brands contain propylparaben more often than name brands do.

Propylparaben: This preservative increases a product’s shelf life so it stays fresher longer. But it was linked to disorders of the endocrine system. This body system is responsible for growth, development, and reproduction. That’s why propylparaben was banned in Europe in 2006. It’s no longer used in many foods in the U.S. But some baked goods still include it. Cheaper store brands contain propylparaben more often than name brands do.

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BAD BAKE

BAD BAKE

Potassium Bromate: This chemical is added to flour to enhance the texture of baked goods like soft pretzels, pizza dough, and ice cream cones. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, it might cause cancer. That’s why some U.S. flour suppliers, like King Arthur Baking Company, have removed it from products. It’s already banned in China, Europe, and India.

Potassium Bromate: This chemical is added to flour to improve the texture of baked goods. They include soft pretzels, pizza dough, and ice cream cones. The U.S. National Institutes of Health says that it might cause cancer. So King Arthur Baking Company and some other U.S. flour suppliers have removed it from products. The chemical is already banned in China, Europe, and India.

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MIXED UP

MIXED UP

JAMES EDWARD BATES/THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX

SAFER SODA: In 2014, Sarah Kavanagh, then 17, from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, successfully petitioned the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo to stop using brominated vegetable oil in soft drinks.

Brominated Vegetable Oil: This emulsifier prevents flavors and colors from separating in beverages. The chemical was banned in Europe in 1970 after scientists found it might build up and harm the nervous system—the network of nerve cells in the body.

Brominated Vegetable Oil: This emulsifier is used in beverages. It prevents flavors and colors from separating. But scientists found it might build up and harm the nervous system. That’s the body’s network of nerve cells. So the chemical was banned in Europe in 1970.

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