Illinois Senate committee approves bill banning harmful additives in processed food, drinks

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers are renewing their push to ban retail stores from selling products containing chemicals linked to poor health outcomes.

Senators passed a plan last year to ban stores from selling products with additives like brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, Red Dye 3 and titanium dioxide by January 1, 2027.

They noted the bill could prohibit harmful additives commonly found in candy, pop and ultra-processed food linked to a recent spike in diabetes, autism, ADHD, and cancer. Although, the legislation failed to move in the House.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias led the push to pass the measure last year. The Democrat shared a video message in support of the new proposal Monday night.

"Illinois must act to ban the use of harmful additives," Giannoulias said in a post on X. "Please contact your state legislators and voice your support for Senate Bill 93 to help ensure Illinoisans, and especially our children, eat safer and healthier food."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of Red Dye 3 and brominated vegetable oil over the past year.

"I want the FDA to be the leader on this issue," said Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago). "But I cannot allow them the time to decide to be a leader on this issue to the negative impacts of the people of Illinois."

The Illinois Manufacturers' Association said the bill sets a dangerous precedent for food regulation by bypassing scientists at the FDA and gives politicians the ability to make determinations on food safety.

"The FDA has a stringent process for evaluating food safety that has been proven to work," said Donovan Griffith, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. "Illinois should not undermine these safeguards. Food safety should be left to the experts."

Senate Bill 93 passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee on a 7-3 vote Tuesday night. The plan now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.