Plain English Breakdown
The official status shows conflicting information: the bill passed both chambers but was also held in committee on May 14, 2026.
Food Safety Rules on Additives and Ingredient Lists
This law makes certain food additives unsafe if they cause cancer, requires new safety checks for ingredients introduced between 1958 and 2027 starting in July 2027, and asks manufacturers to list products that do not name every ingredient on their labels.
What This Bill Does
- Deems any color additive, food additive, or dietary ingredient unsafe in human food if it is found to cause cancer.
- Requires a notice, public listing, and license for additives introduced between January 1, 1958, and January 1, 2027, starting July 1, 2027.
- Mandates that individuals submit safety information to the State Department of Public Health before using new food additives or dietary ingredients under these rules.
- Allows the department to check if a substance is banned in other places when deciding its safety for use in California.
- Requires manufacturers to send a list by July 1, 2027, of packaged foods sold in the state that do not name every ingredient on their labels.
Who It Names or Affects
- Manufacturers who sell packaged food products in this state.
- Individuals or companies intending to use new food additives or dietary ingredients in human food under these rules.
- The State Department of Public Health, which must verify notices and issue licenses.
Terms To Know
- Adulterated
- Food that contains unsafe additives or poisonous substances, making it illegal to sell under existing law.
- Dietary Ingredient
- A substance added to food for nutritional purposes or as a supplement.
- Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law
- The existing state law that regulates the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not specify an effective date in the provided text.
- The exact amount for user fees is not set; the department can create and update them later.
- The specific details of how ingredients must be identified on labels are described as 'as specified' without full detail here.