Oklahoma Looking to Ban Some Artificial Food Dyes in 2025

In this latest election cycle, food quality and health was one of the biggest talking points. Particularly the artificial food dyes and augmented ingredients the USA allows vs the rest of the First World. Skipping ahead of the federal government, Oklahoma is taking aim to ban a short list of them in the 2025 session.

The text of Oklahoma Senate Bill 4 reads as:

SB 4 prohibits any person or entity from manufacturing, selling, brewing, or distributing certain dyes and substances in food products as outlined in the measure.

 

The listed substances are:
1) Blue dye 1,
2) Blue dye 2,
3) Brominated vegetable oil,
4) Potassium bromate,
5) Propylparaben
6) Red dye 3,
7) Red dye 40,
8) Titanium dioxide,
9) Yellow dye 5, or
10) Yellow dye 6.

 

The measure directs the State Board of Agriculture to promulgate rules to enforce the provisions of this measure.

Get our free mobile app

What are artificial food dyes?

These are exactly what they're named. Artificial dyes for coloring food. They're often derived from petroleum oil, so the common joke is they're technically organic, but after years of study and testing, they're rumored to be unhealthy for humans.

Which dyes are on the chopping block?

• Blue dye 1
• Blue dye 2
• Red dye 3
• Red dye 40
• Yellow dye 5
• Yellow dye 6

That's the list of dyes.

Both Blue Dye 1 and 2 have been linked to neurological issues, particularly in children - ADHD, hyperactivity, autism, organ damage (brain), and cancer.

Red Dye 3 has similar associated risks as Blue Dye 1 and 2.

Red 40 - aka - Allura Red is similar to those above, but lesser so. While it is believed to cause ADHD, hyperactivity, and migraines in some people who are allergic to it, even the European Union classifies it as safe in moderation.

The yellow dyes are also linked to ADHD in children, but more worrying, they may actually cause cancer by affecting and directly damaging human DNA.

All in all, Red Dye 40 and Yellow Dye 5 & 6 make up about 90% of all the food dyes used in foods in America. As the use of them has grown exponentially over the years, so have the rates of ADHD, autism, and cancer in humans.

Other food additives to be banned in Oklahoma.

• Brominated vegetable oil
• Potassium bromate
• Propylparaben
• Titanium dioxide

While vegetable oils are currently a hot topic of discussion among health experts, bromated vegetable oil is quickly on the outs in America. The FDA has recently repealed its "safe" status and is no longer allowed to be used in foods.

So why mention it if it's technically banned for food use? The bill also includes these ingredients may not be manufactured in Oklahoma as well.

Potassium bromate is used in the bleaching process of flour. Used to strengthen gluten, the studies have shown it to be a carcinogen that causes cancer - above a certain threshold of consumption. It's one of the most debated ingredients on the planet. While it's being debated federally and globally, Oklahoma is cutting to the chase to ban it completely.

Propylparaben is on the chopping block due it being similar to all parabens, only this one is also used in foods. The side effect it has on humans is within the endocrine system, elevating estrogen in humans. It's worth noting the research is inconclusive and researchers highly debate the findings.

Titanium dioxide is most commonly used in high-end paints, cosmetics, and sunscreen but it has found its way into the American diet. Commonly listed solely as "artificial color," if you've ever read the ingredients on a package of Skittles, you've seen it. In its raw powder form, it's a carcinogen that can cause cancer. As a food additive, it's believed to cause reproductive issues in humans.