California’s ‘Skittles Ban’ Could Impact Some of Our Favorite Disneyland Treats

The State of California and Governor Newsom just signed a law into effect that has been dubbed the “Skittles Ban” and its impacts will most likely reach our beloved Disneyland treats – and even as far as Walt Disney World!

While called the “Skittles Ban,” the law is officially called the California Food Safety Act. Per USA Today, the law will “prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye 3.”

Photo: ABC

It’s estimated that these four ingredients are in around 12,000 food products consumed in the United States, even though they have bad stigmas and are banned in other countries. In addition, the Environmental Working Group states that these ingredients were never approved for consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.

Out of these four additives, Red Dye 3 is the one that usually receives the most objections from advocates, even pointing to reports that say the Dye is linked to cancer in animals. Experts say that there is not enough research to say that there is a definite link between dye and cancer in humans, even though the United States has banned it in cosmetics since 1990.

“We’ve known for years that the toxic chemicals banned under California’s landmark new law pose serious risks to our health,” Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement. “California has taken an important stand for food safety at a time when the FDA has failed to take action.”

The bill originally was named the “Skitles Ban” due to one of the ingredients in Skittles – as well as M&Ms and Kraft Fat-Free Cheese – that gave these products their vibrant color, titanium dioxide. However, after the bill was amended last month, titanium dioxide was removed, and just the other four ingredients mentioned above remained.

The bill was crafted by Democrat Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel. Once the bill was signed into law this past weekend, he couldn’t help but praise it, saying it’s “a huge step in our effort to protect children and families in California from dangerous and toxic chemicals in our food supply.”

It’s important to note that this law will not ban certain foods but more of a change in a few ingredients in select food items.

Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Gabriel, in a joint statement with Consumer Reports, stated, “his bill will not ban any foods or products − it simply will require food companies to make minor modifications to their recipes and switch to safer alternative ingredients that they already use in Europe and so many other places around the globe.”

As one can expect, this bill has caused some opposition from select business collectives, including the National Confectioners Association. In a statement, the Association alleged Governor Newsom decided on optics and against what the science actually says.

Credit: National Confectioners Association

In a statement from the National Confectioners Association, they said, “Governor Newsom’s approval of this bill will undermine consumer confidence and create confusion around food safety. This law replaces a uniform national food safety system with a patchwork of inconsistent state requirements created by legislative fiat that will increase food costs.”

Manufacturers will have until 2027 to comply with this new law. The fine for not complying? Fines up to $10,000.

Photo: Disney

It’s very likely that the “Skittles Ban” law will impact several of our favorite park treats at the Disneyland Resort. But, at this time, Disney has not released a statement, so it’s hard to know what treats may be impacted.

Since it’s unlikely that manufacturers will change their ingredients for just one state, it’s likely this bill will impact foods and beverages that everyone across the United States eats and consumes as well – including some of our favorite sips and sweets at Walt Disney World.

Photo: Disney

Make sure to keep it here with MickeyBlog as we continue to follow this developing story. We anticipate more details to be released, especially by Disney, as the “Skittles Ban” goes into effect.

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