(The Center Square) – A proposed bill that would ban certain food additives in Illinois is already receiving pushback.
The Illinois Food Safety Act calls for prohibiting the use of certain additives to food, including brominated vegetable oil, Red Dye #3 and titanium dioxide. The bill’s sponsors said the additives have been linked to serious health problems, including hyperactivity, reproductive issues, hormonal damage and increased risk of cancer.
“I want Illinoisans to be more confident when grocery shopping that they are not purchasing products that are laced with ingredients classified as toxic and harmful for human consumption,” said State Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago.
Last fall, California enacted a law that banned four additives, which takes effect in 2027, and New York is considering similar legislation.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said he is supporting the legislation because he oversees the largest organ donation program in the country.
“Which is dependent on healthy organs for individuals suffering from life threatening diseases or injuries that need transplants,” said Giannoulias.