Two Republican legislators say that they will introduce laws to ban synthetic dyes in food, including meals that are served in the public schools in West Virginia.
The invoices would probably prohibit a list of additives, including red no. 3, of which they have been reported that they have negative effects on humans. These dyes are usually included in snacks, processed baked goods, fruit drinks and breakfast cereals.
Senator Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, said his legislation will concentrate on eliminating dyes in school food. It is a critical bill, he said when the Senate is trying to solve problems with the primary school that affect the safety and the results of the lesson.
“These synthetic foods cause unrest, irritability and aggressiveness. It really affects a child’s ability to learn and work, ”said Barrett.
California has already banned synthetic dyes in school foods, and legislation in Virginia promotes legislation that would prohibit seven additives in school meals.
“When children go to school in West Virginia, [for] Some of them are the best meal of the day they will get, and in some cases it is unfortunately the only hot meal that they will get. The least we can do is to offer a safe meal, ”added Barrett.
In the delegate house, del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, a broader law that prohibits artificial dyes nationwide in grocery stores and in school food.
The Federal Government recently banned red dye No. 3 in food and drinks. The dye made of oil gives food its cherry red. The ban on the federal ban is to come into force in 2027, which Worrell said that it was too long to wait and not include any other dyes.
“We really poison our children. Manufacturers choose money for our children’s health, ”said Worrell, who serves as chairman of the House Health Committee. Like Barrett, Worrell sees the prohibition as critical of the treatment of behavioral problems in youthful children. “I want to ban all synthetic dyes and I would like to release the opposition. Who will compete against it? “He asked.
A prize for schools that implement the legislation could be the largest roadblock, especially in the legislature guided by GOP, which could deal with governor Patrick Morriey of $ 400 million for the next financial year.
“I don’t think we sacrifice the health and well -being of our students and their ability to learn a few cent on an invoice,” said Barrett.
Barrett, who was recently appointed chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, could not give a planned price to implement the change in school food. He hopes to work with the Ministry of Education of West Virginia through legislation.
“If a state agency does not want a specific bill, it gives an outrageous fiscal note. I hope that the State Ministry of Education will not go under this path. [This is] Really a priority for me, ”said Barrett.
Worrell said that due to his research, he had not expected a great price augment for products in grocery stores if a nationwide ban on synthetic dyes is effective in food. He said the opposition to his measure would probably come from food manufacturers.
Europe prohibits some food additives, some that are suspected carcinogens that are still legal in the United States.
“Most of these food manufacturers are in the United States and make a completely different and healthier product and sell it in Europe,” said Worrell.
His proposed legislation would also create a task force for food safety for food safety in order to investigate the state’s school nutritional program.
“I don’t want to take away food from children, but there are some school districts who use local markets to get food, then others who have contracts with the USDA and order the food they can bring in,” said Worrell.
The regular 60-day session begins on February 12th.
