West Virginia has enacted a groundbreaking law banning most artificial food dyes and two preservatives, effective in 2028, making it the first state to impose such extensive restrictions amid growing concerns over health risks. The legislation, championed by state representative Adam Burkhammer, gained bipartisan support and aims to protect children's health, especially in schools where affected products will be banned starting August. Other states are now looking to follow West Virginia's lead, influenced by similar, albeit less sweeping, measures passed in California and heightened attention from health officials like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Everybody realizes that we've got to do something about food in general, said Adam Burkhammer, a Republican state representative who introduced the bill in February.
Jennifer Pomeranz, an associate professor of public health policy and management at New York University, said the California measures likely led state lawmakers to realize they could move faster than the Food and Drug Administration to act on food additives that carried health concerns.
Mr. Burkhammer said he hopes the law will improve the health of children in his state and spur other states to take similar actions.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was confirmed as health secretary last month, has also brought more attention to the issue.
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