West Virginia Senate moves to ban harmful food additives

West Virginia’s Senate has passed a bill that aims to ban certain synthetic products from food. This bill could soon be on Governor Patrick Morrisey’s desk if the House of Delegates agrees with the changes made by the Senate.

What the bill does

The Senate approved House Bill 2354, which bans harmful additives in food products. The bill passed with a 31-2 vote and now goes back to the House for review. It targets additives like red dye No. 3, yellow dye No. 5, and others like butylated hydroxyanisole, propylparaben, and more.

The bill would make these products unsafe for use in food in West Virginia. It also extends to school nutrition programs, stopping the use of these additives in meals served to students starting August 1. However, schools can still sell non-compliant items for fundraising after school hours or off-campus.

Why it matters

The main reason for this bill is public health. West Virginia has high rates of obesity and diabetes, and some believe that certain food additives contribute to these issues, especially in children. These chemicals have been linked to problems like hyperactivity, memory issues, and even cancer.

State Senator Laura Wakim Chapman, who chairs the Health and Human Resources Committee, called the bill “the most important” she would vote on. She sees it as the first step toward making West Virginia healthier and a leader in food safety. Senator Jason Barrett also emphasized the significance, saying that West Virginia could set an example for other states in the fight against harmful food additives.

Support for the bill

Many groups support the bill, pointing out that it will help improve health in the state. They argue that banning these dyes is necessary to protect children. Chapman stated that nearly half a million West Virginians struggle to access healthy food, and the state’s health outcomes are among the worst in the country. She added that many of these additives are made from petroleum and linked to serious health risks.

Several large grocery stores like Aldi and Costco have already stopped selling products with these synthetic dyes, and food manufacturers are following suit. European countries have also banned these additives, further supporting the bill’s goals.

Opponents of the bill

However, the bill has faced opposition from the National Confectioners Association (NCA). The NCA argues that this bill could raise food prices and cause food shortages. They believe the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be the one to regulate these additives, not individual states.

The NCA claims that food would become more expensive and less accessible, especially in West Virginia. They also say the FDA has the experience and authority to handle these matters at a national level.

Senator Barrett responded by pointing out that while the FDA should regulate food safety, it hasn’t reevaluated these chemicals in decades. He believes the federal government hasn’t done enough, and this bill shows that states can and should take action.

Barrett made it clear that the bill is a signal to other states and big food corporations that the health of citizens should come first. By passing this bill, West Virginia can lead the way in protecting its people from harmful chemicals in food.

West Virginia is making history by taking a stand against harmful food additives. This bill, if signed into law, could mark a major step toward better health for children and families in the state. With the Senate’s support, the bill moves closer to becoming law, setting a powerful example for the rest of the country.