In a groundbreaking move to improve children’s health and align U.S. food safety regulations with global standards, California has become the first state to ban public schools from serving food that contains synthetic dyes commonly found in popular snacks. On September 28, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that prohibits the use of several artificial dyes in foods served in schools across the state. This legislation, which will take effect on December 31, 2027, specifically targets six food colorings: Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Red No. 40.

These food dyes, found in products like Froot Loops, Skittles, and Crush Orange soda, have been linked to hyperactivity and other behavioral issues, especially in children. As schools serve millions of meals each day, this legislation marks a monumental shift in how food is regulated in educational environments across the state.

Why Did This Ban Happen?

The push to ban these synthetic dyes stems from growing concerns over their potential health risks, particularly to children. Assembly member Jesse Gabriel, the author of the bill, has been a leading voice advocating for stricter food safety standards in California. Gabriel, who also authored the California Food Safety Act that banned Red Dye No. 3 in 2022, notes that many parents across the country have raised concerns about the dyes, especially given their links to behavioral issues like hyperactivity and ADHD.

Gabriel’s personal experiences also played a role in his advocacy. “I grew up struggling with ADHD, and one of my sons has the condition too,” Gabriel told Yahoo Life. “A lot of the science around these chemicals says that it can impact all children, but it can be particularly challenging for kids with ADHD.” Gabriel emphasizes the disconnect between the efforts to treat children with ADHD and the continued serving of foods that may undo the progress of those treatments. “It’s crazy that we would have young people in our schools who are getting therapy to deal with their challenges, and then at lunch, we’re serving them food with chemicals that are undoing all of that good work.”

What foods contain these dyes?

The synthetic dyes banned by the new California law are commonly found in a wide range of processed foods, many of which are marketed to children. According to Gianfranco Cesareo, a law fellow specializing in food safety at the Environmental Working Group, these dyes often appear in snacks and beverages that children consume regularly. Some notable examples include.

• Froot Loops.

• Skittles.

• Crush orange soda.

• Doritos.

• Some flavors of Jell-O.

These artificial colorings aren’t limited to obvious products like candy and sugary cereals. They also show up in less apparent foods such as canned fruit and pickles, making them pervasive in the American diet. Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, explained to Yahoo Life, “These dyes are in all sorts of foods, usually found in processed foods.” This widespread use makes the ban a significant step toward reducing children’s exposure to these additives.

The Research Behind the Ban.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these synthetic dyes for use in food products and established acceptable daily intake levels, recent research has questioned their safety, especially for children. A 2021 report from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment analyzed data from both human and animal studies and found that synthetic food dyes are associated with hyperactivity and poor neurobehavioral outcomes in children.

The report included “challenge studies,” where children were placed on a dye-free diet for several weeks and then given food or drinks containing synthetic dyes. The researchers found that some children were more likely to exhibit behavioral issues after consuming foods with these dyes. Of the 25 studies analyzed, 16 showed some kind of positive association between these dyes and poor behavior in kids. In 52% of the studies, the link between synthetic dyes and behavioral issues was statistically significant.

Gabriel, in his advocacy for the bill, pointed out that many of the FDA’s approvals for these dyes are based on studies that are as old as 70 years. “Seventy years ago, we had a very different idea of science,” he said, emphasizing the need for updated assessments of these food additives.

Global Comparison: How the U.S. Stacks Up.

One of the key arguments in favor of the ban is that many of these synthetic dyes are either banned or restricted in other parts of the world, particularly in the European Union. For example, titanium dioxide, which is commonly used in products like coffee creamers and salad dressings, has been banned by the European Food Safety Authority over concerns about its potential links to cancer.

In Europe, foods containing certain synthetic dyes are required to carry a warning label that states the dyes can negatively affect children’s behavior. As a result, food manufacturers have reformulated their products in Europe and Canada to eliminate these dyes. Gabriel pointed out that “we have one box of Froot Loops from America and another in Canada, where they’re already making these foods without these dyes. It’s a minor modification.”

This points to an important takeaway: safer, natural alternatives already exist, and many food companies have already made the switch in other countries. The U.S. is lagging behind in food safety regulations in this regard, and California’s new legislation may help push the rest of the country toward similar changes.

Potential Health Risks Beyond Hyperactivity.

While the primary concern surrounding these dyes is their link to behavioral issues like hyperactivity and ADHD, there are also concerns about cancer and birth defects. However, the evidence for these risks is not as strong or conclusive. “There are also concerns for cancer and birth defects, although the evidence is less convincing here,” said Alan. Nevertheless, the potential risks, combined with the behavioral impacts, make a compelling case for eliminating these dyes from school food.

What Happens Next?

The ban will officially take effect on December 31, 2027, giving schools and food manufacturers time to adjust. Here’s what to expect in the coming years:

1. Schools will need to adjust their menus: “Schools would no longer be able to offer foods with these dyes during the school day,” said Cesareo. School districts will need to transition to foods that do not contain synthetic dyes, which could involve working with different suppliers or offering more natural products.

2. Manufacturers may reformulate products: Many food companies may choose to reformulate their products for the U.S. market, as they’ve already done in other countries. For example, Peeps recently removed Red Dye No. 3 from their products after it was banned in California. According to Cesareo, many brands already make safer, naturally colored versions of their products that are available in other countries.

3. Natural alternatives: Natural food dyes, such as spirulina for blue coloring and beet juice for red, are readily available and serve as easy substitutes. These natural alternatives are already in use in many places and may become more common in the U.S. as public awareness grows.

4. No impact on consumer choices outside schools: The ban only applies to food served in schools. If you live in California and want to continue buying foods with Red Dye No. 40, you’ll still be able to find it in supermarkets. Gabriel emphasized that the legislation is specifically aimed at ensuring that the food served in schools is free of synthetic dyes.

A Broader Impact on Food Safety?

Although the law is limited to public schools in California, Gabriel hopes that the scrutiny on food dyes will have a ripple effect across the U.S. “We will hopefully spur the FDA to pick up their game to bring us up to the same level of protection as other areas of the world,” he said. Gabriel is optimistic that food manufacturers understand the necessity of switching to more natural food dyes and that it’s only a matter of time before this shift happens nationwide. “We just want to accelerate the process,” he added.

Conclusion

California’s decision to ban synthetic food dyes from public schools marks a significant step toward improving children’s health and aligning U.S. food safety standards with global norms. While the ban won’t take effect until 2027, it has already sparked important conversations about the safety of artificial additives in food and the need for reform. As other states and regulatory bodies like the FDA take notice, this legislation could pave the way for broader changes in how food is produced and regulated in the U.S.

For now, the message is clear: the food served to California’s schoolchildren will soon be free of harmful synthetic dyes, and this could be just the beginning of a larger movement toward safer, healthier food options across the country.