Is It Bad For Us To Eat 1 Billion Peeps
Is it bad for us to eat 1 billion Peeps? This Easter, Americans are expected to consume more than 1 billion Peeps, those colorful marshmallow chicks that have become synonymous with spring. However, what makes these treats so bright and colorful is erythrosine, a chemical that appears on ingredient labels as Red No. 3. This chemical, along with titanium dioxide, is used to color some of the most popular candy in the country, including Skittles and Hot Tamales.
Unfortunately, both of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, and more than 30 years ago, the U.S. regulators banned Red No. 3 from makeup. However, the U.S. has still not banned the chemical from food, which has dismayed some consumer safety groups.
Now, a California state lawmaker, Jesse Gabriel, has introduced a bill that would ban erythrosine and titanium dioxide, along with three other chemicals, from everyday favorites like tortillas and some store-brand sodas. The bill has prompted headlines claiming that California wants to ban Skittles and other candy. However, Gabriel says he wants to ban the chemicals, not the candy.
The National Confectioners Association, the trade group that represents candy companies, argues that it is not that easy. Tastes vary across cultures, and just because a candy is accepted by Europeans does not mean it will be received well in the United States. Additionally, changing ingredients would be a hardship for regional candy makers who do not sell their products overseas.
Despite these arguments, Gabriel believes that alternative ingredients are available, and he wants companies to make the same minor modifications to their recipes that they made in Europe and elsewhere. The bill is scheduled for its first public hearing next week. TBT
