California
Use this page to understand food-additive laws tracked in California: what is restricted, what may still be available with warnings, when future rules take effect, and where each rule applies.
What changes next?
Key restrictions take effect on
Jan 1, 2027
Can I buy or consume this now?
You can still buy or consume the tracked products here now, but warning or disclosure rules are already active.
Some warning, disclosure, or future compliance requirements may apply.
At a glance
How to read this page
- Ban / restriction
- Product may be limited or unavailable after the effective date.
- Warning active
- Products may still be available but require disclosure.
- Future date
- The law exists, but the main compliance date has not arrived.
What changes next?
Jan 1, 2027 is the next tracked change. Erythrosine (Red 3; FD&C Red No. 3) is tied to sale ban.
Where does it apply?
The tracked rules here touch school meals, all food, packaged retail, and school snacks and a la carte items.
Can I buy or consume this now?
You can still buy or consume the tracked products here now, but warning or disclosure rules are already active.
Current actions
6
Tracked additives
6
Next key date
Jan 1, 2027
Current actions
| Item / category | Status | Applies to | Effective date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Food Coloring (Synthetic Food Dyes) | School restrictionEnacted, future date | School meals | Dec 31, 2027 | Chaptered text does not include titanium dioxide; searches for 'titanium' return no hit in the chaptered version. Source: AB-2316 School food: prohibiting the use of certain ingredients in food (Chaptered) |
| Butylated hydroxyanisole | Prop 65 warning contextApplies now | All food | Jan 1, 1990 | This is not a categorical food ban; it is a warning-law listing tied to exposure thresholds. Source: Proposition 65 Chemical: Butylated Hydroxyanisole |
| Caramel color | Prop 65 warning contextApplies now | All food | Not listed | Caramel color is not itself a Prop 65-listed chemical, but some caramel colors (Class III/IV) can contain 4-MEI; OEHHA has an NSRL for 4-MEI (29 µg/day) used for warning decisions. Source: AB 418 (2023-2024) chaptered text: The California Food Safety Act |
| Erythrosine (Red 3; FD&C Red No. 3) | Sale banEnacted, future date | Packaged retail | Jan 1, 2027 | Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 109025) added to Part 3 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code; §109025(a)(4) lists Red dye 3 (CAS 16423-68-0). Source: AB-418 The California Food Safety Act (Chaptered) — Health and Safety Code §109025 |
| Propyl paraben | Sale banEnacted, future date | Packaged retail | Jan 1, 2027 | Exact-match verified in chaptered/enacted legislative text for 'Propylparaben' and '94-13-3'. Source: AB 418 (2023-2024) chaptered text: The California Food Safety Act |
| Sucralose | School snack and a la carte restrictionRulemaking or definitions pending | School snacks and a la carte items | Jun 1, 2028 | Law directs regulations by 2028-06-01 and phased restrictions thereafter; sucralose explicitly listed in statutory text as part of nonnutritive sweeteners-related criteria. Source: AB 1264 (2025-2026) Chaptered 09/16/2025; Approved 10/08/2025 — Pupil nutrition: restricted school foods and ultraprocessed foods of concern (includes sucralose CAS 56038-13-2) |
Artificial Food Coloring (Synthetic Food Dyes)
- Applies to
- School meals
- Effective date
- Dec 31, 2027
- Summary
- Chaptered text does not include titanium dioxide; searches for 'titanium' return no hit in the chaptered version.
Butylated hydroxyanisole
- Applies to
- All food
- Effective date
- Jan 1, 1990
- Summary
- This is not a categorical food ban; it is a warning-law listing tied to exposure thresholds.
Caramel color
- Applies to
- All food
- Effective date
- Not listed
- Summary
- Caramel color is not itself a Prop 65-listed chemical, but some caramel colors (Class III/IV) can contain 4-MEI; OEHHA has an NSRL for 4-MEI (29 µg/day) used for warning decisions.
Erythrosine (Red 3; FD&C Red No. 3)
- Applies to
- Packaged retail
- Effective date
- Jan 1, 2027
- Summary
- Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 109025) added to Part 3 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code; §109025(a)(4) lists Red dye 3 (CAS 16423-68-0).
Propyl paraben
- Applies to
- Packaged retail
- Effective date
- Jan 1, 2027
- Summary
- Exact-match verified in chaptered/enacted legislative text for 'Propylparaben' and '94-13-3'.
Sucralose
- Applies to
- School snacks and a la carte items
- Effective date
- Jun 1, 2028
- Summary
- Law directs regulations by 2028-06-01 and phased restrictions thereafter; sucralose explicitly listed in statutory text as part of nonnutritive sweeteners-related criteria.
Affected additives and categories
Ingredients, additives, or food categories connected to this state’s tracked laws.
Legislation timeline
Key dates, plainly explained so you can plan with confidence.
Upcoming deadlines
California market ban effective date for foods containing Red dye 3
Upcoming deadlineErythrosine (Red 3; FD&C Red No. 3) · California
California AB 418 compliance date for propylparaben restriction
Upcoming deadlinePropyl paraben · California
Signed or enacted
California AB 1264 enacted (Real Food, Healthy Kids Act): sucralose named in UPF definition framework for schools
Signed or enactedSucralose · California
AB 2316 chaptered (CA School Food Safety Act) banning specified dyes in public schools
Signed or enactedArtificial Food Coloring (Synthetic Food Dyes) · California
California AB 418 enacted (Health & Safety Code §109025)
Signed or enactedErythrosine (Red 3; FD&C Red No. 3) · California
AB 418 chaptered (CA Food Safety Act) includes Red Dye No. 3 prohibition
Signed or enactedArtificial Food Coloring (Synthetic Food Dyes) · California
California AB 418 enacted (Food Safety Act) – caramel color not included in enacted ban list
Signed or enactedCaramel color · California
Sources
Primary laws and official guidance that inform these updates.