CHARLESTON, W. Va. – On March 5, the West Virginia Senate advanced a bill to ban seven harmful food dyes and two other toxic chemicals from all foods sold and produced in the state.
H.B. 2354 would ban Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2 and Green Dye No. 3 as well as propylparaben and BHA.
Synthetic dyes have been found to cause neurobehavioral problems in some children. BHA, or butylated hydroxyanisole, has been linked to cancer, and propylparaben has been linked to harm to the reproductive and hormone system.
The following is a statement from Scott Faber, the Environmental Working Group’s senior vice president for government affairs:
Everyone agrees that our food should be safe, especially food offered at school. The West Virginia legislature is taking a crucial step in protecting children and adults from toxic food dyes and other toxic food chemicals with this first-of-its-kind legislation in the state. This bill builds on the growing nationwide momentum to get dangerous chemicals out of our food.
This legislation is the most recent in a series of state-led efforts to regulate harmful food chemicals.
This year, more than 20 states have introduced legislation to protect consumers from harmful food chemicals, synthetic dyes and heavy metals.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
