California may ban food items that contain five chemicals linked to health issues and are already banned in parts of Europe. The proposed law in the state, called AB 418, would apparently ban a host of food items, containing chemically active ingredients such as Titanium dioxide, Red dye No. 3, Potassium bromate, Brominated vegetable oil and Propylparaben.

The proposed law calls for banning the manufacture, sale or distribution of foods which contain these five chemicals.

<h2>Which all food items can be banned?</h2>

The legislation would apparently ban a number of food items, from hard candies like Skittles and Hot Tamales to Nesquik strawberry milk and many baked goods, bread and sodas.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chemicals-found-in-over-1200-foods-linked-to-damage-of-immune-system-374959">Chemicals found in over 1,200 foods linked to damage of immune system</a>

If passed, California would be the first state in the United States to ban the following five chemicals from foods:&nbsp;

- Titanium dioxide, found in candies including Skittles and M&amp;Ms, and some dairy products such as Kraft fat-free shredded cheddar cheese

- Propylparaben, found in various baked goods, trail mixes and tortillas

- Red dye No. 3, found in Hot Tamales, strawberry Nesquik, and some baked goods

- Potassium bromate, found in some white bread, flour and pizza dough

- Brominated vegetable oil, used in citric sodas including Sun Drop&nbsp;

<h2>California's proposed ban on food items: Why is it significant?</h2>

The proposition of the law comes a year after a California man sued Skilles manufacturer Mars, Inc., saying the candy is "unfit for human consumption" due to the presence of titanium dioxide in it.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: What boosts libido: Chocolates or Champagne?

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The company responded by saying all its ingredients are safe and used in compliance with food safety regulators.

<h2>What would the ban mean?</h2>

Typically, such bans do not mean that the concerned products get pulled from shelves. Instead, companies find other ingredients.

"I love Skittles. I eat them all the time," Jesse Gabriel, the lawmaker who introduced the bill last month, was quoted as saying by USA TODAY.

"There is a zero per cent chance this is actually going to result in a ban of Skittles," he said. "All we want the companies to do is switch their recipes in the same way that they've done in Europe, and Canada and the U.K. and Brazil and other countries that have banned these chemicals."

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California may ban food items that contain five chemicals linked to health issues and are already banned in parts of Europe. The proposed law in the state, called AB 418, would apparently ban a host of food items, containing chemically active ingredients such as Titanium dioxide, Red dye No.

California may ban food items that contain five chemicals linked to health issues and are already banned in parts of Europe. The proposed law in the state, called AB 418, would apparently ban a host of food items, containing chemically active ingredients such as Titanium dioxide, Red dye No. 3, Potassium bromate, Brominated vegetable oil and Propylparaben. The proposed law calls for banning the manufacture, sale or distribution of foods which contain these five chemicals. Which all food items can be banned? The legislation would apparently ban a number of food items, from hard candies like Skittles and Hot Tamales to Nesquik strawberry milk and many baked goods, bread and sodas. ALSO READ | Chemicals found in over 1,200 foods linked to damage of immune system If passed, California would be the first state in the United States to ban the following five chemicals from foods: - Titanium dioxide, found in candies including Skittles and M&Ms, and some dairy products such as Kraft fat-free shredded cheddar cheese - Propylparaben, found in various baked goods, trail mixes and tortillas - Red dye No. 3, found in Hot Tamales, strawberry Nesquik, and some baked goods - Potassium bromate, found in some white bread, flour and pizza dough - Brominated vegetable oil, used in citric sodas including Sun Drop California's proposed ban on food items: Why is it significant? The proposition of the law comes a year after a California man sued Skilles manufacturer Mars, Inc., saying the candy is "unfit for human consumption" due to the presence of titanium dioxide in it. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: What boosts libido: Chocolates or Champagne? × The company responded by saying all its ingredients are safe and used in compliance with food safety regulators. What would the ban mean? Typically, such bans do not mean that the concerned products get pulled from shelves. Instead, companies find other ingredients. "I love Skittles. I eat them all the time," Jesse Gabriel, the lawmaker who introduced the bill last month, was quoted as saying by USA TODAY. "There is a zero per cent chance this is actually going to result in a ban of Skittles," he said. "All we want the companies to do is switch their recipes in the same way that they've done in Europe, and Canada and the U.K. and Brazil and other countries that have banned these chemicals." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

California to ban Skittles and Tamales? What this proposed law means for THESE food items

A California man has sued candy maker Mars for allegedly using a "known toxin" to give its candy Skittles, its famous rainbow colours. Attorneys representing Jenile Thames a resident of San Leandro claimed that Skittles are dangerous for "human consumption" because they contain "heightened levels" of titanium dioxide. The lawsuit, which demands for class-action status was filed on Thursday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint said that although the candy manufacturer publicly announced its plan to stop using titanium dioxide in its products in 2016, titanium dioxide is still present in items like Skittles today.

Watch |&nbsp;Fentanyl overdose major concern in the US as its easy availability causes an alarm

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Mars Inc. uses titanium dioxide for its well-known rainbow of synthetic pigments seen in Skittles.

The lawsuit claims that titanium dioxide, which is used in paint, adhesives, plastics, and roofing materials, can harm DNA, the brain, and other organs, as well as induce liver and kidney lesions.

In May, EFSA’s (European Food Safety Authority) expert Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), had said: “Taking into account all available scientific studies and data, the Panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-first-of-its-kind-proposal-will-no-longer-let-parents-sue-social-media-companies-497982" hreflang="en">California: First-of-its-kind proposal will no longer let parents sue social media companies</a>

As per Reuters, the complainant is seeking unspecified monetary damages for fraud and violations of California consumer protection laws.

In a statement to TODAY and several other news outlets, Mars said: “While we do not comment on pending litigation, our use of titanium dioxide complies with FDA regulations.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-vs-elections-who-wins-bidens-support-for-human-rights-can-be-sold-for-a-smidgen-of-oil-498106" hreflang="en">Human rights vs elections: Who wins? Biden's 'support for human rights can be sold for a smidgen of oil'</a>

Thames, the complainant, claimed that he purchased Skittles from a nearby QuikStop in April and that he would not have done so had he realised what was inside the candy.

He further claimed that reading the label would not have been helpful because it is difficult to read the ingredients on Skittles' bright red packaging.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A California man has sued candy maker Mars for allegedly using a "known toxin" to give its candy Skittles, its famous rainbow colours. Attorneys representing Jenile Thames a resident of San Leandro claimed that Skittles are dangerous for "human consumption" because they contain "heightened levels" of titanium dioxide.

A California man has sued candy maker Mars for allegedly using a "known toxin" to give its candy Skittles, its famous rainbow colours. Attorneys representing Jenile Thames a resident of San Leandro claimed that Skittles are dangerous for "human consumption" because they contain "heightened levels" of titanium dioxide. The lawsuit, which demands for class-action status was filed on Thursday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint said that although the candy manufacturer publicly announced its plan to stop using titanium dioxide in its products in 2016, titanium dioxide is still present in items like Skittles today. Watch | Fentanyl overdose major concern in the US as its easy availability causes an alarm Mars Inc. uses titanium dioxide for its well-known rainbow of synthetic pigments seen in Skittles. The lawsuit claims that titanium dioxide, which is used in paint, adhesives, plastics, and roofing materials, can harm DNA, the brain, and other organs, as well as induce liver and kidney lesions. In May, EFSA’s (European Food Safety Authority) expert Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), had said: “Taking into account all available scientific studies and data, the Panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive." Also read | California: First-of-its-kind proposal will no longer let parents sue social media companies As per Reuters, the complainant is seeking unspecified monetary damages for fraud and violations of California consumer protection laws. In a statement to TODAY and several other news outlets, Mars said: “While we do not comment on pending litigation, our use of titanium dioxide complies with FDA regulations.” Also read | Human rights vs elections: Who wins? Biden's 'support for human rights can be sold for a smidgen of oil' Thames, the complainant, claimed that he purchased Skittles from a nearby QuikStop in April and that he would not have done so had he realised what was inside the candy. He further claimed that reading the label would not have been helpful because it is difficult to read the ingredients on Skittles' bright red packaging. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taste the 'rainbow' or toxins?: Skittles sued for using colours known to be 'unfit for human consumption'

What did world's richest man Jeff Bezos and fellow crewmates do when ascended to peak altitude in Blue Origins rocket?&nbsp;For those of you who think there was something grand, no. Bezos and crewmates had skittles. The small celebration took place in weightlessness high above Earth.&nbsp;

Bezos and the crew flew outside Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday (July 20).

The flawless 10-minute hop from a west Texas base to beyond the Karman line -- the internationally recognized boundary marking the start of space -- and back again to the surface for a gentle desert landing minted four new astronauts, including the oldest and youngest ever.

At the highest point of their ascent. The crew experienced weightlessness for three to four minutes. It was at this time that they threw Skittles at each other. They unbuckled themselves from their seats and performed summersaults as they experienced weightlessness.

A video has now come out that shows the crewmates doing summersaults and throwing Skittles which Dutch teen Oliver Daemen caught in his mouth, as the capsule ascended to a peak altitude of 66.5 miles (107 kilometers).

Jeff Bezos's lift-off outside the Earth's atmosphere came nine days after a similar successful attempt by Richard Branson in a Virgin Galactic rocket.

Both of these flights are expected to give a fillip to space tourism sector.

What did world's richest man Jeff Bezos and fellow crewmates do when ascended to peak altitude in Blue Origins rocket? For those of you who think there was something grand, no.

What did world's richest man Jeff Bezos and fellow crewmates do when ascended to peak altitude in Blue Origins rocket? For those of you who think there was something grand, no. Bezos and crewmates had skittles. The small celebration took place in weightlessness high above Earth. Bezos and the crew flew outside Earth's atmosphere on Tuesday (July 20). The flawless 10-minute hop from a west Texas base to beyond the Karman line -- the internationally recognized boundary marking the start of space -- and back again to the surface for a gentle desert landing minted four new astronauts, including the oldest and youngest ever. At the highest point of their ascent. The crew experienced weightlessness for three to four minutes. It was at this time that they threw Skittles at each other. They unbuckled themselves from their seats and performed summersaults as they experienced weightlessness. A video has now come out that shows the crewmates doing summersaults and throwing Skittles which Dutch teen Oliver Daemen caught in his mouth, as the capsule ascended to a peak altitude of 66.5 miles (107 kilometers). Jeff Bezos's lift-off outside the Earth's atmosphere came nine days after a similar successful attempt by Richard Branson in a Virgin Galactic rocket. Both of these flights are expected to give a fillip to space tourism sector.

Blue Origin space mission: Weightless on top of the world, Jeff Bezos and crew had skittles

Early this week, Donald Trump Junior, who is a close political adviser to his father, issued a tweet comparing Syrian refugees to poisoned candies: 
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
This image says it all. Let&#39;s end the politically correct agenda that doesn&#39;t put America first. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/trump2016?src=hash">#trump2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/9fHwog7ssN">pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN</a>
&mdash; Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/778016283342307328">September 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The tweet, bearing Trump&#39;s official campaign logo, was criticised for several reasons. One, <a href="http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa798_1_1.pdf">the Cato Institute</a> calculated the odds of an American being killed by a refugee to be one in 640,000,000, not three in however many skittles there are in the above bowl. Two, the analogy is logically flawed: leaving uneaten Skittles in a bowl poses no ethical or moral dilemma, which isn&#39;t comparable to neglecting the lives of human beings fleeing war. 
 
Wrigley&#39;s, Skittles&#39; parent company, having been dragged into this affair made an official statement&nbsp;reaching the same conclusion: &quot;Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don&#39;t feel it&#39;s an appropriate analogy. We will respectively refrain from further commentary, as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing.&quot; 
 
Trump&#39;s tweet was also <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/21/494854951/donald-trump-jr-used-skittles-photo-without-permission-from-former-refugee">copyright infringement</a>, as the picture was taken without permission. The rightful owner of the picture is especially angry it was used by the Trump campaign this way, as at 6-years-old he himself was a refugee fleeing Cyprus following the Turkish invasion. 
 
In addition to being grossly misleading, xenophobic, logically flawed and theft, the tweet also has a racist connection. Skittles carry very loaded associations for the alt-right&mdash;an unofficial assembly of far-right wingers characterised by heavy misogyny, racism and white supremacy&mdash;because of the symbol it became during and after the murder trial of George Zimmerman.&nbsp; 
 
Trayvon Martin was carrying Skittles when George Zimmerman killed him in 2012. This was a very high-profile case in North America. Martin was an African American 17-year-old high school student. Zimmerman was the neighbourhood watch coordinator of a gated community in Florida, an American state with Stand Your Ground laws, meaning it is legal to protect yourself from threats or&nbsp;perceived&nbsp;threats. Zimmerman was ultimately acquitted by a jury after only about a month.&nbsp; 
 
Skittles&nbsp;became a symbol of injustice to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/jul/15/skittles-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-acquittal">Martin&#39;s supporters</a>, and was used in memes by <a href="http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3okg2c">Zimmerman&#39;s supporters</a>, who incorporated the candy in jokes mocking the dead teenager.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Hillary is obsessed with a cartoon frog and her voters are angrier about a picture of Skittles than people getting bombed. 
 
Victory is near! <a href="https://t.co/qiAiGWNqMd">pic.twitter.com/qiAiGWNqMd</a>
&mdash; Vendetta Vidame (@Vendetta92429) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vendetta92429/status/778086672353234944">September 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;

 
Given how many times the Trump campaign has appealed to the alt-right or echoed their racist memes (this<a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/nov/23/donald-trump/trump-tweet-blacks-white-homicide-victims/"> racist and bogus crime stat </a>retweeted from a white supremacist account; Hillary Clinton with a <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/05/donald-trumps-star-david-tweet-recap/">Jewish star of David</a>&nbsp;beside dollars and &quot;corruption&quot;;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vox.com/2016/9/21/12893656/pepe-frog-donald-trump">Pepe the frog</a>...), it is hard to imagine that the allusion to skittles is an accident or coincidence. More likely, the campaign is issuing another dog whistle&mdash;a kind of covert tip of the hat, or a thumbs up&mdash;to the kind of Trump supporters who joke about dead African American teenagers. 
 
&nbsp;(WION)

&nbsp;

The message wasn't just xenophobic and fallacious, Skittles was a loaded symbol of racial injustice after the George Zimmerman murder trial

Early this week, Donald Trump Junior, who is a close political adviser to his father, issued a tweet comparing Syrian refugees to poisoned candies: This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first. #trump2016 pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 19, 2016 The tweet, bearing Trump's official campaign logo, was criticised for several reasons. One, the Cato Institute calculated the odds of an American being killed by a refugee to be one in 640,000,000, not three in however many skittles there are in the above bowl. Two, the analogy is logically flawed: leaving uneaten Skittles in a bowl poses no ethical or moral dilemma, which isn't comparable to neglecting the lives of human beings fleeing war. Wrigley's, Skittles' parent company, having been dragged into this affair made an official statement reaching the same conclusion: "Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don't feel it's an appropriate analogy. We will respectively refrain from further commentary, as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing." Trump's tweet was also copyright infringement, as the picture was taken without permission. The rightful owner of the picture is especially angry it was used by the Trump campaign this way, as at 6-years-old he himself was a refugee fleeing Cyprus following the Turkish invasion. In addition to being grossly misleading, xenophobic, logically flawed and theft, the tweet also has a racist connection. Skittles carry very loaded associations for the alt-right—an unofficial assembly of far-right wingers characterised by heavy misogyny, racism and white supremacy—because of the symbol it became during and after the murder trial of George Zimmerman. Trayvon Martin was carrying Skittles when George Zimmerman killed him in 2012. This was a very high-profile case in North America. Martin was an African American 17-year-old high school student. Zimmerman was the neighbourhood watch coordinator of a gated community in Florida, an American state with Stand Your Ground laws, meaning it is legal to protect yourself from threats or perceived threats. Zimmerman was ultimately acquitted by a jury after only about a month. Skittles became a symbol of injustice to Martin's supporters, and was used in memes by Zimmerman's supporters, who incorporated the candy in jokes mocking the dead teenager. Hillary is obsessed with a cartoon frog and her voters are angrier about a picture of Skittles than people getting bombed. Victory is near! pic.twitter.com/qiAiGWNqMd — Vendetta Vidame (@Vendetta92429) September 20, 2016 Given how many times the Trump campaign has appealed to the alt-right or echoed their racist memes (this racist and bogus crime stat retweeted from a white supremacist account; Hillary Clinton with a Jewish star of David beside dollars and "corruption"; Pepe the frog...), it is hard to imagine that the allusion to skittles is an accident or coincidence. More likely, the campaign is issuing another dog whistle—a kind of covert tip of the hat, or a thumbs up—to the kind of Trump supporters who joke about dead African American teenagers. (WION)

The racist subtext of Donald Trump Jr's Skittles tweet

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