New York State Senate Agriculture Committee Advances Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act

Albany, NY – State Senator Brian Kavanagh, lead Senate sponsor of the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act (S1239B/A1556B Kavanagh/Kelles) applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee’s vote to advance the critical food safety legislation, with the support of Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey. The bill would ban harmful food additives and synthetic dyes in the general food supply, impose stricter prohibitions on chemicals in school meals, and require transparency from food manufacturers about ingredients currently hidden from public view, closing a major loophole in federal food regulation.  

“New Yorkers deserve to know what is in their food and to be able to trust that it’s safe – especially when it comes to our children,” said Senator Kavanagh. “For too long, companies have exploited loopholes to secretly add questionable chemicals to our food supply, putting public health at risk. And they’ve routinely added dyes and other chemicals that are known to pose significant health risks. Today’s vote is a major step toward ensuring our food supply is healthier and safer for all New Yorkers.”  

The bill would: 

• Ban dangerous additives like FD&C Red 3, Potassium Bromate, and Propylparabens from all foods in New York — chemicals linked to cancer, neurological harm, and behavioral issues in children.  
• Ban various synthetic dyes (including Red 40, Yellow 5, and others) from school foods, protecting students from substances tied to hyperactivity and neurobehavioral problems.  
• Close the ‘GRAS loophole’ by requiring companies to publicly disclose ingredients and safety data, ending the practice of secret self-certification.  

“California and the EU have already acted to remove these harmful substances from food. New York must lead on this issue as well,” said Kavanagh. “With growing scientific evidence linking these chemicals to serious health risks, we cannot afford to wait. I thank Agricultural Committee Chair Michelle Hinchey for her leadership in bringing this bill forward and for all she does to promote access to safe, healthy food, our colleagues from both parties who voted to advance the bill today and the many more who have joined in cosponsoring it, and of course our Assembly sponsor Dr. Kelles and the many advocates and concerned New Yorkers who are pushing for swift enactment of this important legislation.”

“For too long, the FDA has failed to take action to protect consumers from toxic chemicals found in our food. New Yorkers deserve protection from these harmful chemicals that have known health risks and consequences such as cancer, kidney and thyroid damage, endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity. I want to thank Senator Kavanagh, Agriculture chair Senator Hinchey and Senate leadership for standing on the side of science and championing the protection of public health by advancing the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act through the Senate Agriculture Committee. We see this as a critical first step on the road to becoming state law. We must keep up the momentum and get this legislation passed before the end of session. People look to food for nourishment, it is our responsibility to ensure that the very same food isn’t making us sick,” said Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles, Assembly sponsor of the legislation.

“This is a significant step in protecting children from dangerous food chemicals. FDA has no plans to ban these chemicals, so New York must stand up to industry and make our foods safe,” said Jensen Jose, Regulatory Counsel for the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

“This bill takes a vital step toward safeguarding New Yorkers from harmful chemicals in the food supply and sets a precedent for improving food safety nationwide. In the absence of robust federal action, states like New York must lead the way in protecting families from food additives linked to health risks. We commend Sen. Kavanagh and Assemblymember Kelles for their leadership and commitment to protecting public health, said Jessica Hernandez, Policy Director for the Environmental Working Group.

“This crucial bill will bring long-overdue transparency to our food system by closing the loopholes that allow unvetted chemicals to be added to the food we eat. As New York’s leading advocate for the principles of organic and regenerative agriculture, NOFA-NY believes every New Yorker deserves safe and nourishing food that is produced and processed in a manner that enhances our health and wellbeing,” said Katie Baildon, Policy Manager for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY).

“We are pleased that the Food Safety & Chemical Disclosure Act has passed the vote today in the Senate’s Agriculture Committee,” said Charles Moon, MD Environmental Health & Climate Change Policy Coordinator for the New York State American Academy of Pediatrics. “The legislature must continue prioritizing this legislation as the close of the legislative session nears so we can begin improving transparency and accountability around food safety and help New York community’s feel safer about the food they buy.”

"The FDA's system for ensuring that food additives are safe is broken, and this bill gives New Yorkers a chance of fixing it," said Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Safety at Consumer Reports. "For too long, the FDA has been unable to keep up with the latest research that some chemicals pose unacceptable risks to our health. We commend Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember Kelles for their work to help fill this gap in regulatory oversight by banning certain harmful chemicals and require greater transparency from the industry when new ingredients are introduced without FDA review."

“The faith communities we work with are united in their commitment to protect their families, friends, and neighbors from harmful chemical additives in food. We thank Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember Dr. Kelles for their leadership in protecting all New Yorkers.” Said Bob Pezzolesi, Convener for the Interfaith Public Health Network.

The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act has garnered support from public health advocates, parent groups, and food safety organizations. With today’s committee approval, the bill now moves to the Senate Health Committee for its consideration. Senator Kavanagh expressed optimism that the legislation will pass both houses and be signed into law, marking a landmark victory for consumer protection and healthy food, especially for children.

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