CHICAGO - Senator Willie Preston commended the Food and Drug Administration for its decision to ban brominated vegetable oil, a harmful food additive that has posed significant health risks to consumers for decades.

"It’s great that the FDA has finally banned brominated vegetable oil, a dangerous additive that has no place in our food,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “However, this is just one step, and we need the FDA to ban other harmful additives such as red dye 3."

Preston is pleased with the steps the FDA has taken, but emphasizes that more action is needed to protect public health, particularly in Illinois.

Preston is working to pass the Illinois Food Safety Act – Senate Bill 2637 – that aims to remove harmful additives from food products sold within the state, providing greater protection for Illinois residents. By proactively addressing these concerns, the measure seeks to eliminate the dangers posed by substances like red dye 3, which has been linked to various health issues, particularly in children.

"In Illinois, we shouldn’t wait and allow people, especially children, to continue consuming these dangerous substances,” said Preston. “This is why we need to pass the Illinois Food Safety Act, which I proudly sponsored. The health and safety of our communities depend on it, and we must act now."

Preston’s call to action highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for state-level leadership while awaiting more comprehensive federal regulations.