Annapolis, MD – A new bill before the Maryland General Assembly could soon make the state one of the first on the East Coast to outlaw a set of controversial food additives linked to health concerns. House Bill 1004, introduced by Delegate Alston and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any food containing certain synthetic ingredients, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and the artificial dye known as Red 3.
The legislation mirrors recent moves by California and New York to remove these chemicals from the food supply. Supporters argue the additives have been associated with potential risks to human health and are already banned or restricted in parts of Europe. Under the bill, any person or company caught selling or producing foods containing the listed substances could face fines, imprisonment, or both.
The measure adds a new section to Maryland’s Health–General Article, establishing a clear statewide prohibition on the use of these ingredients in food products offered for sale. It also includes a catch-all clause barring any additional ingredient or additive prohibited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other federal law, giving the state flexibility to respond to future federal safety updates.
Violations would be treated as misdemeanors under existing public health enforcement laws, carrying penalties of up to $10,000 and one year in jail for a first offense, with repeat violations punishable by up to $25,000 and three years in prison. Civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation could also apply, and each day the violation continues would count as a separate offense.
Substances targeted by the Maryland ban
The proposed ban specifically identifies four additives by their chemical registry numbers:
– Brominated vegetable oil (CAS No. 8016–94–2)
– Potassium bromate (CAS No. 7758–01–2)
– Propylparaben (CAS No. 94–13–3)
– Red 3 dye (CAS No. 16423–68–0)
Food safety advocates have long criticized these compounds, citing links to thyroid issues, reproductive effects, and possible carcinogenicity in laboratory studies. The FDA has already proposed removing some of these ingredients from its approved list, but Maryland’s bill would codify their prohibition at the state level regardless of federal timelines.
Key points:
• HB 1004 bans four additives in food sold or made in Maryland, including Red 3 and brominated vegetable oil.
• Violators could face fines up to $25,000 and possible imprisonment for repeat offenses.
• The law would take effect July 1, 2027, pending legislative approval.
