California state Sen. Bob Wieckowski has introduced a bill to require warning labels on food containing synthetic food dyes, including food sold in restaurants, says Civil Eats. If he succeeds, it would be the first such labeling law in the nation.
The FDA says “reaction to color additives are rare” and labels are not needed. However, the EU has required labels since 2008 on food made with six synthetic labels, based on a study that linked the dyes and behavioral changes, including hyperactivity, in children. A Wieckowski aide told Civil Eats, “The time is right for California to educate parents about this risk.”
“Despite the lack of legal requirements to remove them, major food manufacturers, restaurant chains, and retailers have been steadily eliminating these colors,” says Civil Eats. They may be following consumer demand for food that is natural and free of additives. A General Mills official said consumers “want to see more recognizable and familiar ingredients on labels.” The consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest said some children are affected by the dyes and parents face a challenge in reading lists of ingredients to avoid suspect materials.