Bipartisan legislation that would ban two dangerous food additives in Illinois sailed through the Illinois Senate on Thursday. State Senator Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) was the leading Senate Republican on the bill and worked closely with Chief Sponsor Willie Preston (D-Chicago) on its bipartisan passage.

“Today, Illinoisans are unknowingly consuming foods that are harmful due to unnecessary chemicals that are added to enhance the look and texture of food and extend shelf-life,” said Lewis. “Consumers deserve to know the foods they eat and give to their kids are free from dangerous chemicals that are proven to cause cancers or other illnesses.”

Specifically,Senate Bill 93 bans the use of Potassium Bromate and Propylparaben on the following schedule:

• January 1, 2027: bans the manufacture of any food product for human consumption that contains either substance
• January 1, 2028: bans the sale, delivery, and distribution of any food product for human consumption that contains either substance

According to Lewis, the legislation also includes fines that would be imposed for noncompliance.

“When we have food on our shelves that include ingredients that have already been banned in India, China, and throughout Europe, I am proud to be involved with making the State of Illinois a leader in making our food supply safer,” Lewis said. “This, along with the recent federal ban of Red Dye #3, will go far in providing people with valuable peace of mind when they are choosing the foods that will be ingested by themselves and by their families.”

Click here to watch Senator Lewis’ floor comments during the bill debate.

With the bill’s passage in the Senate, SB 93 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.