Overview
- The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, passed on April 21 by the Senate and Assembly, now awaits Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision.
- The bill targets potassium bromate, Red 3, and propylparaben, citing links to cancer, kidney damage, behavioral issues in children, and hormone or reproductive harm.
- If signed, New York would bar new manufacturing and distribution after a one-year phase-in, allow a three-year sell-through, and give small businesses a three-year grace period.
- The measure would require companies to publicly report “secret GRAS” ingredients and would bar reliance on federal GRAS status in court.
- Bakers could shift to unbromated flour that needs longer fermentation, while the EU, UK, Canada, China, Brazil, and California already ban bromate even though the FDA still allows it in limited amounts.