SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Senate on Thursday approved a bill to ban the food additives potassium bromate, propylparaben, Red Dye No. 3 and brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, from foods manufactured, sold or distributed in the state.
The bill, known as the Illinois Food Safety Act, was introduced by State Sens. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) and Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet). It next goes to the Illinois House of Representatives. If Illinois enacts the bill, the state would join California and the European Union in adopting measures to get harmful food additives off the market.
If enacted, Illinois would join California and the European Union in adopting efforts to get harmful food additives off the market:
The following is a statement from Scott Faber, Environmental Working Group senior vice president for government affairs.
Passing the Illinois Food Safety Act out of the state Senate is a victory not only for the lawmakers but also for Illinois residents who are one step closer to enjoying food and drinks without these four toxic food chemicals.
Time and again the Food and Drug Administration has failed to take meaningful action to regulate potentially harmful food ingredients. In the absence of federal action, states have had no choice but to step up and protect their consumers.
Illinoisans deserve the same healthier options that Californians and Europeans enjoy. EWG applauds Sens. Preston and Ventura for championing this bill.
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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.
