Could a California Food Ban Affect Montana and the U.S.?

Halloween, and many holidays, give us all the opportunity to eat a little less healthy than we normally would (then again, maybe you keep a stash of Halloween candy year-round). However, a recent ban is affecting candy, and the question is whether or not this could become a nationwide trend.

Recently, news outlets across the country reported on California's law that just banned four common food additives. According to CNN, the ban "prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food products in California" that contain the additives. The additives are:

• red dye No. 3
• potassium bromate
• brominated vegetable oil
• propylparaben

It's not uncommon that California has laws that prevent the use of some products that are acceptable in other states. What's interesting about this particular ban is the specific products that are affected, as they are very popular. A few of the products that contain the banned additives:

• Peeps
• Hot Tamales
• Skittles
• Nerds

Last spring, near the easter holiday, Consumer Reports urged the company responsible for Peeps to remove red dye No. 3 from its recipe because it had been linked to cancer. Here's an idea of which Peeps products include the dye:

An article from NPR points out that the banned additives are also "found in candy, fruit juices, cookies, and more." They also point out that the additives "have been linked to an array of diseases including cancer, and are already banned in dozens of countries."

So Will This Affect Montana and the Rest of the U.S.?

There's a possibility. As multiple sources point out, the makers of these products will have to alter the ingredients they use in their products in California by the year 2027. But an article in newser.com also points to a Consumer Report theory that "changes made...will ripple across the nation anyway, since manufacturers aren't likely to make two different versions of their products..."