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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Senate Public Health Committee approved a plan Tuesday to ban retail stores from selling products containing chemicals linked to poor health conditions.

Democratic lawmakers said the bill will prohibit harmful additives commonly found in candy, pop, and ultra-processed food sold in Illinois.

Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) explained stores would not be able to sell products with brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or Red Dye No. 3 by Jan. 1, 2027. Preston is considering an amendment to include titanium dioxide in the list of banned additives.

This comes as 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.

"Twenty-seven countries in Europe have already banned these dangerous food additives," Preston said. "Recently, the state of California took a very similar measure that our legislation that's before you today essentially mirrors."

However, the Illinois Manufacturers' Association told the committee the bill could set a dangerous precedent for food regulation in Illinois by usurping experts and scientists at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

IMA Vice President of Government Affairs Donovan Griffith encouraged lawmakers to reject the well-intentioned plan to avoid a confusing and costly patchwork of regulations that would impact consumers and Illinois food manufacturers. Food manufacturing generates more than $135 billion in economic impact for Illinois annually.

"These type of food regulations should be handled at the federal level by the Food & Drug Administration," Griffith stressed. "The FDA requires evidence that each food additive is safe at its intended level of use before it may be added to food."

Harmful chemicals in food — Senate Bill 93 could ban stores from selling products with brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye 3 or titanium dioxide by January 1, 2027.

The National Confectioners Association also opposes the measure. Brian McKeon, NCA Senior Vice President of Public Policy, said food safety decisions should be based on rigorous review of the entire body of scientific evidence. McKeon noted that the legislation could increase food costs, create confusion around food safety, and erode consumer confidence and trust in our food supply.

Still, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said the plan 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.

Senate Bill 2637 passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee on a 5-3 vote. The proposal now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

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.

"People should be able to trust that the food they buy is safe," Preston said. "As a father, it really concerns me that some of my family's favorite food items have harmful chemicals in them."