California is the first state to demand this level of food safety. As long as the law remains in effect, it will change the way food is manufactured for many companies. This doesn’t mean products will be banned completely. But it will require companies to make minor modifications to their recipes for items sold in California. Since manufacturers wouldn’t likely change their recipe for only one state, it would prompt a change nationwide. This means more products would include more food-safe alternative ingredients. Many companies – like Coke, Pepsi, Dunkin Donuts and Panera – have already made their own decision to stop using these additives. It’s also important to note that the European Union (EU) banned these chemicals years ago. Potassium bromate, for example, has been banned in the EU since 1990. But the US still allows these chemicals in production. Because of EU bans, many food manufacturers already use alternative ingredients overseas. Most companies can likely make modifications with recipes they may already use in other countries. Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel says, “This marks a major step forward in our effort to protect children and families in California from dangerous and toxic chemicals in our food supply. It’s unacceptable that the U.S. is so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to banning these dangerous additives.” The EWG estimates manufacturers could modify ingredients in up to 12,000 products sold across the country, based on its food database.