Halloween, and many holidays, give us all the opportunity to eat a little less healthy than we normally would (then again, maybe you keep a stash of Halloween candy year-round). However, a recent ban is affecting candy, and the question is whether or not this could become a nationwide trend.

Recently, news outlets across the country reported on California's law that just banned four common food additives. According to CNN, the ban "prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food products in California" that contain the additives. The additives are:

  • red dye No. 3
  • potassium bromate
  • brominated vegetable oil
  • propylparaben

It's not uncommon that California has laws that prevent the use of some products that are acceptable in other states. What's interesting about this particular ban is the specific products that are affected, as they are very popular. A few of the products that contain the banned additives:

  • Peeps
  • Hot Tamales
  • Skittles
  • Nerds

Last spring, near the easter holiday, Consumer Reports urged the company responsible for Peeps to remove red dye No. 3 from its recipe because it had been linked to cancer. Here's an idea of which Peeps products include the dye:

8 Peeps Products Containing a Carcinogen Called Red Dye #3

While still legal for use in food in the United States, Red Dye #3 has been known to cause cancer in animals. It's found in these Peeps products. A quick check of local Walmart, Albertsons and Fred Meyer websites show that at least six of these varieties are still available in the Treasure Valley leading up to Easter 2023.

Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart

An article from NPR points out that the banned additives are also "found in candy, fruit juices, cookies, and more." They also point out that the additives "have been linked to an array of diseases including cancer, and are already banned in dozens of countries."

So Will This Affect Montana and the Rest of the U.S.?

There's a possibility. As multiple sources point out, the makers of these products will have to alter the ingredients they use in their products in California by the year 2027. But an article in newser.com also points to a Consumer Report theory that "changes made...will ripple across the nation anyway, since manufacturers aren't likely to make two different versions of their products..."

The Top 10 Most Popular Types of Halloween Candy in America

America's favorite types of Halloween candy range from candy corn to M&Ms. Here are America's favorite kinds of Halloween candy, starting with number 10 working our way to the number one most popular type of Halloween candy.

Gallery Credit: Alicia Selin

LOOK: How Halloween has changed in the past 100 years

Stacker compiled a list of ways that Halloween has changed over the last 100 years, from how we celebrate it on the day to the costumes we wear trick-or-treating. We’ve included events, inventions, and trends that changed the ways that Halloween was celebrated over time. Many of these traditions were phased out over time. But just like fake blood in a carpet, every bit of Halloween’s history left an impression we can see traces of today.

Gallery Credit: Brit McGinnis

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