By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Opponents say a proposed ban on five chemical food additives would create an unwieldy “patchwork” of varying laws.

At a news conference announcing the bill Tuesday, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias was ready with a tasty visual aid.

“This particular bag of Skittles comes from the European Union,” where such additives are already banned,  “which proves that companies are indeed very capable – and hopefully willing – to sustain product lines while complying with a number of public health laws which differ, depending on the country. In other words, they know how to do it, and when they are told to do it, they are already doing it – with no difference in taste.”

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s rapid response was that the proposal ignores the work of scientists and other experts at the Food and Drug Administration.

The chemicals are brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, Red Dye No. 3, and titanium dioxide. The bill’s supporters say those food additives are connected to cancer, reproductive problems, hyperactivity, and other ills.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]