NCA Statement Regarding Illinois State Senate Passage of SB 2637

NCA Statement Regarding Illinois State Senate Passage of SB 2637

18 Apr 2024

WASHINGTON - In response to the Illinois State Senate passage of a bill that would ban certain FDA-approved food additives, the National Confectioners Association released the following statement and additional background information:

NCA STATEMENT

"It's time to stop pretending that Illinois state legislators have the scientific expertise to make these very important regulatory decisions. Usurping FDA's authority does nothing but create a patchwork of inconsistent requirements that increase food costs, create confusion around food safety, and erode consumer confidence."

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE STATES?

More states are walking away from food additives bans than are adopting them. Following California's adoption of a food additive ban in the fall of 2023, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois are among a handful of states currently considering copycat proposals. Indiana, Maryland, South Dakota, Washington and West Virginia have rejected similar bills, because the proposals lack scientific basis. In the same vein, Kentucky legislators recently passed a resolution acknowledging that food safety decisions should be based in fact and driven by those with regulatory expertise. 

WHAT ARE EXPERTS SAYING?

James Coughlin, PhD, CFS and Craig Llewellyn, PhD: "Numerous reports have included reference to the potential banning of the food additives in other countries, insinuating that the U.S. lags in safeguarding consumers. These allegations, however, stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the science of toxicology, the linchpin of food additive safety, and the meticulous regulatory oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." March 21, 2024

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: "Reading or hearing about chemicals in food, when combined with words like 'toxic,' 'extremely dangerous' and 'cancer-causing' may be scary, especially if you aren't getting all the facts." April 2, 2024

Health Canada: "Health Canada has reviewed the relevant scientific information on reported linkages between certain synthetic food colours and neurobehavioural effects in children and has found that the presented evidence is insufficient to demonstrate a causal relationship. Health Canada also found no conclusive scientific evidence that titanium dioxide is a concern for human health when used as a food additive." February 16, 2024

Institute of Food Technologists Chief Science and Technology Officer Bryan Hitchcock: "Food additives not only help improve shelf life and reduce microbiological growth but help ensure a safe and affordable food supply while also reducing food loss and waste." March 28, 2024

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Institute Of Food Technologists Food Additives Toolkit

Facts About Titanium Dioxide

Myths vs. Facts: Food Additives

Red Dye 3 & Titanium Dioxide Fact Sheet

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About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the $48 billion U.S. confectionery industry. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and works to ensure that chocolate, candy, gum and mints are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. The U.S. confectionery industry has made a commitment to increasing transparency, providing more portion guidance options and educating consumers about the role of confectionery in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.