California legislature bans six dyes in school cafeterias

California lawmakers last week passed AB 2316, banning six chemical dyes linked to behavioral difficulties in children from school-provided meals.

If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the bill, K-12 schools will no longer be able to offer students food containing Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 chemical dyes. The bill, to take effect Dec. 31, 2027, would exempt food sold as a part of a school fundraiser.

 It’s easy to be “in the know” about agriculture news from coast to coast! Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse news. Simply click here.  

The bill is another success for its author, Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, who last year sponsored the California Food Safety Act, which banned brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red dye No. 3 from school food.

The Environmental Working Group and advocacy organization Consumer Reports advocated for the bill.