Illinois Democratic leaders hope to ban harmful additives in processed foods, drinks

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers could pass a plan this year to ban retail stores from selling products containing chemicals liked to poor health outcomes. The legislation could prohibit harmful additives in candy, pop and ultra-processed food sold in Illinois.

Democratic lawmakers told reporters Tuesday they are determined to make food and drinks sold in Illinois healthier for the next generation. Their plan could ban stores from selling products with brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye 3 or titanium dioxide by January 1, 2027.

"I don't think a single one of us in this room would want to be serving their child a bowl of cereal that could also cause them cancer," said Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville). "And yet, that is happening every day."

Health experts have seen a significant increase in young children suffering from diabetes, autism, ADHD and cancer over the past decade. While doctors don't know exactly what caused the recent spike in diseases, scientists believe these additives caused lab-tested animals to get sick.

"It's important for all of us to have healthy options," said Dr. Payal Adhikari, a board-certified pediatrician at Northwestern Children's Practice. "But it's really important for kids, whose brains and little organs are still developing, to have the best options available."

However, the Illinois Manufacturers' Association said this plan would set a danger precedent by usurping the role of scientists and experts at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

"This measure would create a confusing and costly patchwork of regulations for food manufacturing, which is the single largest segment of Illinois' manufacturing economy," said IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler.

Food manufacturing generates more than $135 billion in economic impact for Illinois annually.

Still, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said this bill would not block any products or brands. The Democrat stressed that the plan will not take food off shelves either.

"It will, however, encourage food manufacturers to update recipes using safer alternative ingredients that are already widely available and consumed in other places around the world and soon in other places in the United States," Giannoulias said.

California became the first state to ban these additives in October. Although, the chemicals are prohibited in all 27 European nations, Australia, Canada, Japan and China.

"Illinois families deserve to have access to the healthiest food options," said Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago). "This legislation does not seek to ban any products or take away any of our favorite foods. This measure sets a precedent for consumer health and safety to encourage food manufacturers to update their recipes to use safer alternative ingredients."

Preston, Stava-Murray and Giannoulias hope to amend the bill to call for Illinois universities to study the potential health risk of beta hydroxy acids and butylated hydroxytoluene, commonly used to preserve food for longer periods of time. Sponsors said the additives could face new regulations if researchers determine they pose a significant health risk.

Senate Bill 2637 has not been assigned to a Senate committee. Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) signed on as a co-sponsor for the plan on November 8, 2023.