California Bans School Snacks With Harmful Additives

California lawmakers have passed a bill prohibiting certain food additives linked to behavioral issues in children from being sold in public school cafeterias, targeting popular snacks like Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Twinkies. The ban specifically addresses six food dyes—Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3—deemed to have no nutritional value and potentially harmful effects, including hyperactivity and cancer risks according to various studies. The legislation, known as the California School Food Safety Act, will allow these items to remain available in stores but aims to influence manufacturers to reformulate their products. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who authored the bill, stated that it empowers schools to safeguard children's health and advocates for a broader change in marketing practices for unhealthy foods. Industry representatives have criticized the bill, arguing that the targeted ingredients are safe and that the law could lead to increased costs and confusion for consumers. The bill awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature and is set to take effect in 2028 if approved.