25 Orgs Endorse Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, Urging Senate Agriculture Committee to Advance Bill

Leading health, nutrition advocates, and community-based providers back State legislation to fill gaps in food safety and combat federal FDA loophole

ALBANY, NY (05/13/2025) (readMedia)-- Today, a group of 25 organizations spanning the health, agricultural, environmental and faith sectors endorsed New York's Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act (S1239B/A1556B Kavanagh/Kelles) meant to protect public health and ensure critical protections for consumers. Set for a Senate Agriculture Committee vote this Wednesday, May 14th, at 10:30am, and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of a dozen Senators, the bill has garnered a critical mass of supporters following a recent Albany rally featuring lawmakers and medical professionals, including the New York State American Academy of Pediatrics.

Sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh and Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles, it would prohibit synthetic dyes in school foods, ban three dangerous food chemicals in foods sold statewide, and require companies to disclose evidence regarding the safety of their ingredients. Currently, a federal loophole allows manufacturers to self-certify their ingredients as "generally recognized as safe" or "GRAS" without adequate FDA oversight.

"Now, more than ever, New York must protect the health of our children. The Department of Health and Human Services is doing almost nothing to ban synthetic dyes and dangerous food chemicals. Instead, it hopes that states will do their job," said Jensen Jose, CSPI Regulatory Counsel.

"For too long, the FDA has failed to take action to protect consumers from toxic chemicals found in our food. New Yorkers deserve protection from harmful food additives that have known health risks and consequences such as cancer, kidney and thyroid damage, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. The European Union and California have already taken action to protect the quality of their food supply from chemicals and food coloring such as potassium bromate, propylparaben, and toxic variants of red, blue, green, and yellow dye. It is time for New York to do the same. We also must close this loophole that allows food and chemical companies to irresponsibly bypass FDA approval for new food additives. Companies can add new chemicals to our foods without notifying the FDA by unilaterally declaring the substance as "Generally Recognized As Safe" or GRAS, without any oversight, transparency, or public notification. The GRAS designation was established in 1958 and was intended for food additives like sugar, vinegar, and baking soda. However, companies have exploited this loophole for almost all newly introduced chemical food additives. People look to food for nourishment. It is our responsibility that that very same food isn't making them sick," said Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles (D-125), Cosponsor of the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act.

New York is one of several states where lawmakers have introduced food safety laws, including neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania. But as the FDA 'plans' to remove food dyes per an "industry understanding," states like West Virginia, California, and Arizona have passed bills that significantly improve the food supply for residents. To combat federal inaction, endorsees are advocating for New York electeds to boost their leadership and move the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act through the Senate and Assembly.

The list of organizations endorsing the bill includes:

  • Altagracia Faith and Justice Works [Inwood, Manhattan]
  • Beulah Baptist Church [Harlem]
  • Center for Science in the Public Interest
  • Chilis on Wheels
  • Cobleskill United Methodist Church [Cobleskill, Schoharie]
  • Community Food Advocates
  • Consumer Reports
  • CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute
  • EarthJustice
  • Environmental Working Group
  • Finca Seremos [Liberty, Sullivan]
  • Franciscan Justice Circle, Mid-Hudson Valley
  • Interfaith Public Health Network
  • Korean Community Services of Metropolitan NY
  • Life Together Works Inc. [Bronx]
  • Methodist Federation for Social Action - NY
  • Muslim Community Network
  • New York State American Academy of Pediatrics (NYS AAP)
  • New York State Council of Churches
  • Northeast Organic Farming Association - NY (NOFA-NY)
  • Northwest Bronx Indivisible
  • NYC Franciscan Justice Circle
  • Plant Powered Metro New York
  • Rochester Food Policy Council
  • Teens for Food Justice

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