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Key Legislation Includes:
- Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act (S1239B/A1556B Kavanagh/Kelles)
- Predatory Marketing Prevention Act (S397/A2584 Myrie/Reyes)
- Sodium Warning Bill (S428/A5207 Rivera/Reyes)
Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act (S1239B/A1556B Kavanagh/Kelles) will prohibit synthetic dyes in school foods, ban three dangerous food chemicals in foods sold statewide, and require companies to disclose evidence that their ingredients are actually safe to eat.
| Key Provisions | Impact on New Yorkers |
|---|---|
| Prohibit synthetic dyes in school foods | Protects children from artificial additives linked to hyperactivity and other health problems |
| Ban three dangerous food chemicals | Saves lives by removing known carcinogens and toxins from the food supply |
| Require companies to disclose evidence | Empowers consumers to make informed choices about their health |
Predatory Marketing Prevention Act (S397/A2584 Myrie/Reyes) restricts misleading targeted food and beverage marketing aimed at children and adolescents. This will help to counteract the influence of large food companies that spend billions annually on aggressive marketing tactics. Sodium Warning Bill (S428/A5207 Rivera/Reyes) requires clear sodium warning icons on chain restaurant menus to ensure transparency and help consumers make informed choices.
Why Stronger Regulations Matter
Major food and beverage companies spend billions annually on aggressive marketing, often targeting children and communities of color. These same communities frequently have a higher concentration of fast-food restaurants, whose menu items contain dangerously high levels of sodium-linked to stroke, hypertension, and heart disease, some of New York’s leading causes of death. The lack of federal oversight and weak regulation has allowed companies to sneak chemicals and other ingredients into their products without adequate scrutiny. This has resulted in a public health crisis, with many New Yorkers unknowingly consuming products that are hazardous to their health.
What the Public Can Do
While policymakers make the laws, it’s up to the public to hold companies accountable. Here are some ways to make a difference:
- Support the proposed legislation
- Demand that companies be transparent about their ingredients and marketing practices
- Choose healthier options and vote with your wallet
What the Proposed Legislation Covers
The proposed Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, Predatory Marketing Prevention Act, and Sodium Warning Bill cover the following areas:
- Prohibiting synthetic dyes in school foods
- Banning three dangerous food chemicals
- Requiring companies to disclose evidence of ingredient safety
- Restricting misleading targeted food and beverage marketing
- Requiring clear sodium warning icons on chain restaurant menus
By taking action and working together, we can put New Yorkers’ health first and create a safer, healthier food environment.
Example of a Product Impact
Consider the popular children’s cereal, Froot Loops. This iconic breakfast food contains artificial dyes that have been linked to hyperactivity and other health problems. Under the proposed Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, Froot Loops would be banned from being sold in schools due to its artificial dyes.
Conclusion
Advocates and lawmakers are rallying behind stronger food safety regulations to put New Yorkers’ health first. The proposed legislation covers critical areas, including prohibiting synthetic dyes in school foods, banning dangerous food chemicals, and requiring companies to disclose evidence of ingredient safety. By taking action and working together, we can create a safer, healthier food environment for all New Yorkers.
