California state lawmakers are considering a bill that would effectively ban certain chemical additives found in several foods, including Pez, Campbell's soup, Skittles, and Sour Patch Kids. The proposed ban would prohibit the sale of foods containing these additives in the state, as well as the production of foods containing these additives.

Three of the five substances mentioned in the bill have already been banned in the European Union for the same reason. Many of the products that would be affected by the proposed ban are still available in the European Union but use different ingredients in place of these food additives.

The five food chemicals listed in the ban include propylparaben, red dye 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and titanium dioxide. Each has been linked to — or cannot be ruled out as being connected to — various health hazards including cancer, harm to reproductive health, behavioral issues in children, and harm to the immune system as well.