NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly would prohibit any foods or drinks sold on school campuses from containing Red 40, with certain exceptions.
Brought by Rep. Elaine Davis (R-Knoxville) and Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), the bill would prohibit any foods provided through the school nutrition program from containing Allura Red AC, also known as Red 40, in any public schools, public charter school, or a “third party expressly authorized” by the school system or charter school.
According to Davis, the bill would not apply to foods sold at concession stands, for school fundraisers, or foods available in vending machines on campuses.
Davis said during a House subcommittee in March the substance wasn’t simply a “harmless color additive,” but rather, a synthetic dye derived from petroleum. Additionally, Davis said Red 40 is linked to a range of health concerns, including hyperactivity, attention disorder and behavioral issues in children.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently banned the use of Red No. 3 in foods and ingested drugs due to its link to causing cancer in certain rats; though, the FDA admitted the way the dye causes cancer in male rats “does not occur in humans.”
The bill passed the full House Monday, according to information from the state capitol website.