By KEVIN BESSLER
Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — As critics contend it is setting a dangerous precedent, legislation is advancing through the Illinois General Assembly that would ban certain food additives.
The Illinois Food Safety Act in Senate Bill 93 would ban specific food additives from being used in the manufacturing, delivering, distributing, holding or selling of food products. The additives include potassium bromate and propylparaben.
“Consumers in Illinois should have full faith and trust in the foods and products they are consuming,” said the bill’s sponsor state Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago. “Right now, Illinoisans are consuming harmful products without realizing it. We must focus on consumer safety and offer clear directives to food manufactures in order to keep all of Illinois healthy.”
Bryan Hitchcock with the Illinois-based Institute of Food Technologists says a state enacting food safety legislation that conflicts with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations is a dicey proposition.
“The inconsistencies between Illinois and other states enacting legislation that directly conflicts with federal regulations reinforces the critical need for science and technology in government,” said Hitchcock.
The Illinois Manufacturers Association has gone on record voicing opposition to the measure.
“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 IMA. “Illinois should not undermine these safeguards. Food safety should be left to the experts.”
In January, the Food and Drug Administration announced it was banning the use of Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives food and drinks their bright red cherry color but has been linked to cancer in animals.
