In a disappointing turn of events for public health advocates, New York has missed a significant opportunity to enhance its food safety laws this year.
The proposed Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, which aimed to impose transparency requirements on food chemicals and ban three harmful additives, was sidelined despite growing calls for reform.
These measures are critical as more states address the dangers associated with the food supply. However, powerful food industry lobbyists have successfully thwarted progress, arguing that heightened accountability could harm small businesses.
Yet, proponents of the legislation emphasize that the requirements would apply solely to large manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers, meaning smaller enterprises would be largely exempt.
As president of the Bodega and Small Business Group (BSBG) and a Bronx bodega owner, I am a staunch supporter of this bill.
It’s not just about regulations; it’s about the safety of our communities and ensuring that large corporations are held accountable for the products they put on our shelves.
New York families deserve access to safe food options, and it’s crucial for the food industry to uphold this commitment.
Our current federal food safety laws are outdated, leaving consumers in the dark about hazardous chemicals present in their food.
Major corporations have leveraged loopholes to circumvent the oversight of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by arbitrarily designating certain chemicals as “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS.
Historically, this designation was reserved for common staples like vinegar and spices, but it has now been abused.
Large companies are self-certifying their products without any safety reviews, allowing them to place potentially harmful items on store shelves.
Chemicals such as Red No. 3, potassium bromate, and propylparaben are banned or severely restricted in various other countries due to their links to serious health issues, including cancer and hormone disruption.
Regrettably, these substances still linger in many American households—present in cereals, beverages, candies, and other popular treats for children, who are particularly vulnerable to developmental delays.
The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh and Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles, seeks to restrict these dangerous chemicals while establishing a straightforward online disclosure process.
This process would require large companies adding undisclosed chemicals to their products to submit evidence to the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which would then make this information accessible to public health officials, including the FDA.
It’s important to note that the bill does not alter existing GRAS ingredients, packaging, or product labeling, and it includes exemptions for smaller businesses with fewer than 100 employees and retailers.
This legislation represents a commonsense measure designed to protect families and children, helping to restore trust in our food supply.
Yet, despite this, the bill faced immense pushback from major food companies.
These corporations successfully circulated misinformation, claiming that the legislation constituted an expensive regulatory burden that would negatively impact small businesses, despite its specific exemptions.
Moreover, when approached for more information to clarify their stance, industry leaders added my business logo to their opposition memo without my consent.
As a small business owner in the Bronx, I am deeply familiar with the challenges New Yorkers face in accessing fresh and healthy food.
The Bronx has some of the highest rates of food insecurity and diet-related diseases in the state, and it is alarming that in many neighborhoods, bodegas outnumber supermarkets at a staggering ratio of 37 to 1.
At BSBG, we are actively working to improve access to healthy options in corner stores through initiatives like our Hunts Point Healthy Bodega Pilot.
After thoroughly reviewing the specifics, we are prepared to back the legislation to ensure the health and safety of our customers.
Families already face considerable stress in trying to provide nutritious meals for their households, and they should not have to worry about the hidden dangers of secret toxins in their food.
In a borough that has consistently been at the bottom of health outcomes for 17 consecutive years, it is disheartening to see a misinformation campaign afoot when small business owners are eager to support transparency and safety.
We cannot compromise the health of our children and families; allowing corporations to claim that their food is safe without proof is simply unreasonable.
New Yorkers have a right to know what is in our food.
The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act is a crucial step towards achieving that transparency.
As we look to the future, it is imperative that Albany prioritizes this issue and works to pass the legislation in the next session.
image source from：citylimits
