Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act Passes Assembly Agriculture Committee, Next Up Codes Committee

ALBANY, NY (05/20/2025) (readMedia)-- Today, the Assembly Agriculture Committee passed the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, (A1556C/S1239C): legislation that will ban Red No. 3, potassium bromate and propylparaben in foods sold statewide and require companies to disclose evidence confirming the safety of food chemicals that bypass the FDA's safety review. Sponsored by Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles and Senator Brian Kavanagh, the bill is steadily building momentum after passing the Senate Agriculture Committee last week with bipartisan support.

Amid glaring gaps in federal food safety regulation, the legislation aims to protect New York consumers from toxic chemicals and food additives linked to cancer, developmental delays in children, and other health harms. Due to a longstanding federal loophole in the 1958 food additives amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, companies have managed to sneak chemicals into foods and self-designate harmful ingredients as generally recognized as safe aka GRAS, without proper oversight from the FDA.

This bill has been amended into two parts: the larger piece focused on closing the GRAS loophole, which passed today's committee vote, and a smaller companion bill that seeks to revise education law by restricting dyes in school foods - a move that requires review from the Education Committee.

"In a dangerous, unregulated food environment where Washington is abdicating its responsibility to consumers, the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act will give New Yorkers peace of mind and protect families from deceptive industry practices. The Agriculture Committee's decision to advance the bill is a promising sign that lawmakers understand the steps we need to take moving forward. We commend the Assembly for pushing the bill forward, and are confident that the legislation will continue to draw broad support," 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 these harmful chemicals that have known health risks and consequences such as cancer, kidney and thyroid damage, endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity. I want to thank Agriculture Committee chair Assemblymember Donna Lupardo and Assembly leadership for standing on the side of science and championing the protection of public health by advancing the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act through the Assembly Agriculture Committee. We see this as a critical next step on the road to becoming state law. We must keep up the momentum and get this legislation passed before the end of session," said Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles (D-125), Cosponsor of the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act.