Reduce Harmful Preservatives in Minnesota Products

 

To reduce the amount of preservatives used in food products produced in Minnesotan factories.

 

Approximately 60% of packaged foods bought and eaten in Minnesota are made with preservatives, which is a 10% increase

from 2001. Some of these are synthetic preservatives and can range from sulfites, which can trigger asthma attacks, to

sodium nitrate, which is able to form cancer-causing nitrosamines. Studies often show a “relative risk”, meaning

consuming preservatives can increase chances for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even mental health issues. While

it would be difficult to completely naturalize all of the used preservatives, it is possible to reduce and substitute

them with natural alternatives. Common preservatives in foods include BHA/BHT, potassium bromate, and aspartame. All of

these common types can be replaced with natural substitutions such as vinegar, rosemary and berry extract, citric acids,

cultured wheat, and fermented corn flour. By reducing the amount of preservatives used in food products, even just by

20-40%, we could greatly decrease the amount of health issues caused by consuming them.

 

Preservatives: Natural or synthetic substances added to products to slow down or prevent spoilage from microbial growth,

oxidation, and other chemical changes, thereby extending shelf life.

Naturalize: Formulating products with ingredients derived from nature rather than man-made chemicals.

Sulfites: A compound containing sulfur, a nonmetallic chemical element.

Nitrosamines: A group of chemical compounds that can damage your DNA.

BHA/BHT: Synthetic antioxidant preservatives which can lead to tumor development.

Potassium Bromate: White, crystalline powder used as an oxidizing agent, can harm kidneys and the nervous system.

Aspartame: A compound of two amino acids, mainly linked to mental illnesses.

 

No funding is needed for this bill.

 

This bill is to be enforced by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Any noncompliance with this implementation

shall be penalized based on the severity of the situation. Penalties can start with fines up to $10,000 per incident,

and can also lead up to license suspension/revocation or even legal action.

 

This bill is to be effective starting January 1st, 2027.