Ban on harmful food additives passes the IL Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Bans on two food additives, potassium bromate and propylparaben passes the Illinois Senate Thursday.

The plan would prohibit any of these additives in food for purchase in Illinois. Potassium bromate was linked to cancer, while propylparaben was linked to lower levels of estrogen and testosterone.

State Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) said this is one of the most important bills the Senate could pass this year.

"These additives are dangerous they do not belong in the food supply in this country," Preston said. "They are prohibited in several dozen other countries already. We should take the same steps."

Some Republican Senators supported the bill, other Republicans did not. GOP members opposed to the proposal said the state should wait until the federal government rules on those two additives.

This was the argument for a similar bill last year, which included a ban against red dye 3. Later that year, red dye 3 would be banned by the federal government.

SB93 passed the Senate on a bipartisan 47-7 vote. It will now head to the House floor for further debate.