Prohibition of Skittles in Florida? This new bill could do just that – and more – Wkmg News 6 & Clickerlando

Tallahassee, FLA. – Many people enjoy sweets like Skittles, although it’s not a surprise to hear that they are not the most healthy options.

However, a new bill in Florida can download these options from the table.

Last week, State Senator Jonathan Martin filed a Senate 560 bill that will ban Florida business from selling foods that contain certain chemical additives.

These supplements include yellow 5 (also known as Tartrazine) and Blue 1 – both food dyes used in the popular Skittle candy, the company’s website shows.

According to the FDA, these two ingredients are used in very sweet, non -alcoholic beverages, cereals and other treats that consumers can see while traveling to the grocery store.

And while both ingredients are approved by the FDA, the Center for Public Interest reports that yellow 5 can cause hyperactivity in some children, while Blue 1 is a low risk of cancer.

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Red 3, another synthetic food dye, prohibited under this bill, was banned by FDA last month after laboratory rats exposed to chemical developed cancer. FDA officials noted that the way Red 3 caused cancer in rats is not found in humans, although they still give food producers by January 2027 to remove the ingredient from their products.

“Some chemicals cause cancer. They have no place in our food, “Martin said on social media last week. “Period.”

The full list of prohibited additives on his bill is as follows:

• Brominally (Bvo) – Used in drinks to stabilize the flavoring of fruits. BVO was officially banned by FDA last year.
• Potassium brother – It is used to strengthen the dough and give bread with a bigger color. It is prohibited in the EU and other countries due to causing cancer during laboratory rats, although researchers say it is not harmful in the common consumption of human.
• Benzidine – Used to produce dyes, although it has been banned in the United States since the 70s.

However, Florida is not the only country that pursues such types of measures. As early as 2023, California became the first state to apply a similar ban on BVO, potassium bromate, propyl pilled and red dye 3, although it gives manufacturers with a deadline for 2027 to remove the ingredients of the products.

While Martin’s ban will ban Skittles (and many other products), as they are currently sold in the state, it may not be that these candy will disappear completely.

The European Union and many other countries have previously applied prohibitions or limits on additives included in the bill and Skittles replaced its ingredients with more festive alternatives, allowing candy to continue to be sold in these regions.

In Florida, the SB 560 will give food manufacturers a deadline from January 1, 2028 to remove these supplements from their products. If you don’t, it can lead to big fines.

If approved, the bill itself will enter into force on July 1st later this year.

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