States want to ban dangerous dyes and other food additives – Consumer Reports

Here are summaries of the various chemicals that some states are seeking to ban.

Azodicarbonamide
Which state is trying to ban it? New York.
What health risks are there? Azodicarbonamide breaks down into other chemicals when cooked, including semicarbazide, which has been shown to cause cancer in mice; and urethane, a human carcinogen.
How is this used? As a flour lightener and to strengthen dough when baking.
What foods does it contain? According to the EWG database, more than 50 common supermarket products, mostly packaged such as bread, rolls and pastries.

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
Which states are trying to ban it? Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania. (It's already banned in California, and last November the FDA announced a planned federal ban.)
What health risks are there? Associated with neurological problems; thyroid, heart and liver problems; and behavioral, developmental and reproductive problems.
How is this used? In sports drinks and soft drinks to mix liquids that would not otherwise mix easily, such as: B. oil and water. (The FDA says it prevents citrus flavors from flaking off and floating on the surface of the drink.)
What foods does it contain? According to EWG, more than 80 sodas and fruit-flavored drinks, most in bright colors.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Which states are trying to ban it ? New York and Pennsylvania.
What health risks are there? Connection with cancer in animal experiments.
How is this used? As a preservative to prevent foods containing oils, fats and butter from going rancid.
What foods does it contain? Butter, lard, meat, grains, baked goods, candy, beer, vegetable oils, chips, snack foods, nuts and nut products, sausages, poultry and meat products, chewing gum and yeast, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Potassium bromate
Which states are trying to ban it ? Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania. (It's already banned in California.)
What health risks are there? Associated with several types of cancer.
How is this used? As a "flour improver" it is added to strengthen the dough, make baked goods rise higher in the oven and improve the texture of the products.
What foods does it contain? According to the EWG, about 220 products are sold, including many breads, dumplings and packaged frozen foods.

Propylparaben
Which states are trying to ban it ? Illinois and New York. (It's already banned in California.)
What health risks are there? It has been shown in laboratory animal studies to cause endocrine disruption and reproductive problems.
How is this used? As a preservative, it extends the shelf life of packaged foods by preventing the growth of mold and bacteria.
What foods does it contain? According to EWG, there are more than 50 products in U.S. grocery stores, including many packaged corn tortillas, baked desserts and cake frostings.

Titanium dioxide
Which states are trying to ban it ? California (schools only) and New York.
What health risks are there? Linked to digestive tract problems and banned in Europe because scientists could not rule out genotoxicity, the substance's ability to damage genetic information in the body's cells. They also feared damage to the immune system.
How is this used? As food coloring to make products whiter than they would otherwise be, and in candy and other products as a type of "color base" to make colors added later more vivid.
What foods does it contain? According to EWG, more than 2,000 edible items, including candy, creamers, cheese, cream soups, baking decorations and sauces.

Red Dye #3 (also known as FD&C Red #3, Red Dye 3, and Erythrosine)
Which states are trying to ban it ? Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania. (It is already banned in California and is currently under review by the FDA.)
What health risks are there? It causes cancer and thyroid tumors in laboratory animals and has been linked to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in children. (Health effects like these led the FDA to ban its use in cosmetics more than 30 years ago. The agency said at the time that it planned to ban its use in food, but never took that action.)
How is this used? As a food coloring to give foods a bright cherry red color.
What foods does it contain? According to the EWG, hundreds of foods can be found on store shelves, including candy, baked goods, snacks, cereal and soda.

Red Dye #40, Yellow Dye #5, Yellow Dye #6, Blue Dye #1, Blue Dye #2, Green Dye #3
Which states are trying to ban them ? California (schools only) and Pennsylvania (Green No. 3 not included).
What health risks are there? Associated with hyperactivity and other adverse neurobehavioral sequelae in children.
How are they used? As food coloring.
What foods do they contain? Thousands of products, from breakfast cereals to drinks.

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