Bill
H 3959
Massachusetts bill prohibits potassium bromate and propylparaben in foods sold in the state and bans certain artificial food dyes in foods on public school grounds, with pending ru
Note on contents: The materials you provided contain two distinct measures that appear to have been combined in the same file:
Below are clear, separate summaries of each item, followed by procedural notes.
Purpose
- To prohibit certain chemical additives in food sold in the Commonwealth and to restrict specific artificial food dyes from being sold or provided on public school grounds.
Key provisions
- Adds Section 330 to Chapter 94 (definitions and prohibitions):
- Defines CAS and identifies two prohibited substances by CAS:
- Potassium bromate — CAS 7758-01-2
- Propylparaben — CAS 94-13-3
- Prohibits manufacture, sale, delivery, distribution, holding or offering for sale in commerce within Massachusetts any food product containing those two substances.
- Directs the Department of Public Health (DPH) to adopt implementing regulations (compliance testing, reporting, penalties).
- Provides exceptions: products manufactured/distributed outside MA not intended for sale in MA; FDA-approved additives when used in other specified lawful uses.
- Violations subject to a fine “not to exceed a specific amount, as determined by the DPH” per instance of noncompliance.
- Amends Section 223 of Chapter 111 to add two subsections restricting sale/provision of foods/beverages on public school grounds if they contain certain artificial colors (with CAS numbers):
- Blue 1 (3844-45-9), Blue 2 (860-22-0), Green 3 (2353-45-9), Red 40 (25956-17-6), Yellow 5 (1934-21-0), Yellow 6 (2783-94-0).
- Allows exceptions for sales that occur off school premises, at least half an hour after school ends, or at booster/concession/fundraiser events.
Effective dates
- Section 1 (ban on potassium bromate and propylparaben): effective January 1, 2027.
- Section 2 (school dye restrictions): effective December 31, 2028.
Who is affected / potential impact
- Food manufacturers, distributors, retailers operating in Massachusetts: must reformulate, relabel, or cease sale of affected products in MA.
- Public schools and vendors: restrictions on competitive foods and beverages sold during school hours on school property; fundraising and concessions largely preserved.
- Department of Public Health: regulatory and enforcement responsibilities; will set testing standards and penalties.
- Consumers: potential public-health benefits (reduced exposure); possible changes to product availability and pricing.
Unresolved/implementation details
- The bill delegates penalty amount and enforcement specifics to DPH rulemaking; financial penalties are not specified in the statutory text.
- Interplay with federal regulation and interstate commerce may raise compliance and enforcement questions (the bill exempts some FDA-approved uses but otherwise applies to products sold in MA).
Procedural status (selected)
- Referred to House Committee on Public Health (3/31/2025).
- Senate concurred (4/03/2025).
- Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways & Means (11/13/2025).
- Several hearings scheduled/rescheduled (Aug–Sep 2025).
Purpose & content (ceremonial)
- A House resolution honoring M. LaNelle Kohn of Columbia for her career as an African American educator and community leader.
- Summarizes biographical details: education (Benedict College; MAT from University of South Carolina), 22 years teaching in Richland School District One, science specialist for State Department of Education (retired 2008), church and civic leadership (First Nazareth Baptist Church trustee chair, board member of Booker T. Washington High School Foundation, treasurer and life member of Columbia NAACP), awards and presentations, ongoing community activities.
- Resolution directs a copy be presented to Mrs. Kohn.
Status
- Introduced and adopted (House resolution filed and adopted 02/12/2025).
If you want, I can:
- Produce a concise one-paragraph version suitable for publication; or
- Draft talking points on likely compliance steps for Massachusetts food businesses if the MA measure becomes law.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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