Hot Cheetos, Doritos could be banned in California schools under new bill. Here's why

The bill would prevent schools from serving foods containing six synthetic dyes.

Popular snacks such as Doritos and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos may soon be banned from California public schools according to a new bill. The bill, proposed in the state assembly, seeks the removal of foods that contain artificial ingredients and food dyes, CBS News reported.

The bill would prevent schools from serving foods containing six synthetic dyes including Red 40, which is commonly found in snacks like Doritosand Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Another one was Yellow 5 which is present in Mountain Dew and M&Ms. Other food dyes included Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3 and titanium dioxide.

Assembly member Jesse Gabriel announced Legislation AB 2316 on Tuesday. According to Gabriel, these foods are linked to “cancer, harm to the immune system and neurobehavioral issues.”

"California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and that can interfere with their ability to learn,” Gabriel said. “As a lawmaker, a parent and someone who struggled with ADHA, I find it unacceptable that we allow foods with additives that are linked to cancer, hyperactivity, and neurobehavioral harms to be served to our children."

According to a study by the National Institutes of Health in 2012, Red 3 causes cancer in animals and Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, contain carcinogens like benzidine, that can increase the risk of developing cancer.

Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 also cause hypersensitivity reactions – an exaggerated immune response to allergens, according to NIH.

As per California state legislation,  free lunch and breakfast must be made available to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The foods given to students must be a include fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein or a whole grain item. The rules also set standards for calories, sugars and fats in these foods, as per CBS News.