SAN DIEGO — There could be changes to the ingredients used in school foods if Governor Gavin Newsom signs Assembly Bill 2316, a bill prohibiting public schools in the state from offering food or drinks containing six food dyes including red 40, yellow 5 and and blue one.
“These materials are found in foods that really are not that healthy,” University of California Merced Public Health Chair and Professor Dr. Asa Bradman said.
Bradman explains foods with artificial food coloring are usually highly refined and have minimal nutritional benefit. Some of the foods that contain these dyes include pastries, candy and cereals. Its the reason some people may think this is a step in the right direction like high school senior Diego Perez.
“It's like a good step in keeping our students and children healthier overall,” Perez said.
Healthier foods in schools is also important for Matthew Bowman who is a father of two.
“I mean if it's for making you know stuff healthier for the kids then I'm for it,” Bowman said.
There are findings over the possible impacts these types of dyes can have.
“I think the scientific evidence supports the conclusion that there's an association between intake of many of these food dyes and changes in behavior,” Dr. Bradman said.
Dr. Bradman is a co-author of a 2021 report with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment which linked synthetic food dyes to Hyperactivity and other Neurobehavioral effects in some children.
“Those behaviors are things like hyper activity, you know inability to settle down and that there may be actually some children in particularly those who already have behavioral challenges they may be a bit vulnerable...more vulnerable,” Bradman said.
Governor Newsom has until the end of September to either sign or veto the bill. If he signs it, regulations will go into effect December 31, 2027.
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