A bill that would ban Skittles and other foods, which officials say contain certain chemical toxins, is making its way through the California legislature

• A bill that could ban Skittles, among other food, is in motion in the California legislature.
• The proposed legislation would prohibit foods that officials say include cancer-causing additives.

A proposed bill that would ban beloved candies like Skittles, as well as other foods that officials say contain certain chemical toxins, is making its way through the California legislature.

Bill AB418, introduced in February by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, would prohibit the sale, manufacture, and distribution of food containing titanium dioxide, red dye 3, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and brominated vegetable oil, according to the bill's text.

"Californians shouldn't have to worry that the food they buy in their neighborhood grocery store might be full of dangerous additives or toxic chemicals," Gabriel said in a statement last month. "This bill will correct for a concerning lack of federal oversight and help protect our kids, public health, and the safety of our food supply."

On its official website, Skittles lists titanium dioxide as one of the ingredients.

Per The Daily Mail, the additives titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, and brominated vegetable oil are banned in the EU.

Titanium dioxide, for instance, helps give colors a brighter appearance and is commonly used in mineral sunscreen, Insider previously reported, and the ingredient is known to be toxic. The company that manufactures Skittles — Mars, Inc. — promised in 2016 to stop using it.

Last year, a California man filed a lawsuit against Mars, Inc., arguing that its use of titanium dioxide is putting customers' health at risk.

Mars Inc. did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

In addition to Skittles, other products at risk include Campbell's soup, Sour Patch Kids, PEZ candy, and Sun Drop Soda, according to The Daily Mail. The outlet reported that if the bill goes into effect the companies will need to change their food formula or the products won't be able to sell in the state.

"We know they are harmful and that children are likely eating more of these chemicals than adults," Susan Little of the Environmental Working Group, a public health advocacy group, said in a statement last month. "It makes no sense that the same products food manufacturers sell in California are sold in the EU but without these toxic chemicals."