EWG Statement on the Introduction of the New York Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act

ALBANY, N.Y. – On January 15, New York Sen. Brian Kavanagh (D-District 27) and Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles (D-District 125) introduced a bill – the New York Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act – that would protect New Yorkers from toxic food chemicals. If enacted, it would ban or regulate use of nine harmful substances in the state.

The bill, S. 1239, would ban three chemicals – potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye No. 3* – from food manufactured, distributed or sold in the Empire State.

It would also ban six food dyes from food sold and served in New York public schools: Red Dye No. 40, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, Green Dye No. 3, Yellow Dye No. 5 and Yellow Dye No. 6.

Companies would also be required to disclose new details about chemicals added to food without stringent review. If enacted, the law would follow two similar California laws – one banning or limiting use of six food dyes in public schools and the other prohibiting four harmful chemicals, including those in the New York bill, from food manufactured, delivered and sold in the state.