Governor of California Gavin Newsom has signed legislation which prevents public school cafeterias from serving food-dyes found in processed foods such as Froot Loops and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The ban focuses on red, blue, green and yellow additives which have been linked to hyperactivity and behavioural issues, particularly those who have ADHD or other attention deficit conditions. The law is due to take effect on December 31 2027, which Assemblymember and law author Jesse Gabriel believes will “have the additional added benefit of helping to protect kids across the United States” “Today, we are refusing to accept the status quo, and making it possible for everyone, including school kids, to access nutritious, delicious food without harmful, and often addictive additives,” stated Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom also signed legislation last year prohibiting the sale of foods containing other additives, which resulted in marshmallow snack producer ‘Peeps’ adjusting its formula. Gabriel said that stores will still be able to sell food-dye containing foods, but hopes that the legislation will be an incentive for companies to amend their recipes. Despite the widespread support of the legislation, industry lobbyists argued that the ban could impose on fundraising opportunities such as bake sales for schools. The lobbyists successfully convinced legislators before the bill reached Newsom to remove a ban on a compound called titanium dioxide, which is found in snacks such as Skittles. John Hewitt of the Consumer Brands Association has also previously disputed similar additive bans, as he believes that “safe ingredients have been demonized for the purpose of advancing a political agenda”.