New York\u2019s iconic pizza and bagels may soon taste a little different as lawmakers move to strip out additives that can cause cancer and other health problems.<\/p>\n
The state legislature passed The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act<\/a> on April 21, which targets potassium bromate<\/a> \u2014 a chemical often used in flour to help dough rise higher and look whiter \u2014 along with Red 3 and propylparaben.<\/p>\n Potassium bromate can cause cancer and kidney damage, while the others can cause cancer, behavioral issues in children and hormone and reproductive harm, according to the bill.<\/p>\n Pizza could soon be made differently in New York under a proposed ban on key baking additives. fahrwasser \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n The measure now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who could make New York one of the latest places to crack down on the additives commonly found in everything from pizza and bagels to processed foods.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the use of food additives to enhance the shelf life, taste, or texture of various commercial food products is nothing new, the science behind the health effects of increased consumption of such additives is shedding new light on just how dangerous some of them can be,\u201d the bill stated.<\/p>\n \u201cThis legislation protects New Yorkers from three of the most pervasive and harmful food additives.\u201d<\/p>\n State Sen. Cordell Cleare, who sponsored the measure, told People<\/a> that the reasoning behind the potential ban is its link to cancer. <\/p>\n \u201cI strongly support the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act because any substance that is linked to cancer has no place in our food, period,\u201d Cleare said.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cOther countries have banned potassium bromate without any diminution in the quality of flour-based products and the same will happen in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n The proposal mirrors efforts elsewhere.<\/p>\n Bagels could also change as lawmakers target ingredients over cancer concerns. Kristina Blokhin \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n