What California's Ingredient Bans Mean for Your Product Development
California is leading the charge in food regulation with its legislation banning certain ingredients commonly used in processed foods. The California Food Safety Act (CFSA) banned four ingredients; brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylene glycol, and Red Dye No. 3. The ban goes into effect on January 1, 2027. New York state already has similar legislation pending and adds titanium dioxide to their list. This suggests a pattern of states setting the stage for eventual federal regulations. On January 15, 2025 the FDA announced a federal ban on red dye #3 effective January 1, 2027. Clearly, these bans reflect a growing trend toward healthier, more natural foods and stricter regulations on ingredients used in food production.
What does this mean for food brands? Simply put, if you are selling products in California, you will no longer be able to distribute goods containing these banned ingredients. Everything from snack chips, to breakfast cereals, to frozen treats, must be reformulated to comply with California's laws. Few manufacturers will want to have separate formulas for California or bypass the sales potential of one of the nation’s largest markets.
Support For Regulatory Compliance
At CuliNEX, we help brands anticipate and adapt to these regulatory changes and prepare for every aspect of new laws. Whether it’s replacing artificial dyes with natural colors or removing controversial chemicals from ingredients, we work with our clients to ensure that their products meet all legal requirements while also aligning with consumer expectations for cleaner, healthier foods.
“We use our ingredient functionality knowledge to match what a new ingredient statement will look like,” said CEO Mark Crowell. “At CuliNEX, we know what the options are out there that come from natural sources.”
Support for All Aspects of Clean Label Success
Our support for regulatory compliance goes beyond food formulation to include all the aspects that go into delivering a successful product to market. That can include Co-man support, sustainable sourcing recommendations, certifications or sustainable packaging expertise. We guide our clients with a view towards affordability, earth friendly solutions, reliable partnerships, even scheduling requirements.
“Something as simple as packaging can become complicated because it must be ordered about six months in advance,” said Mark Crowell. “We ensure our clients meet the deadlines, including these new claims on the next round of packaging.”
Some clients come to CuliNEX after attempting reformulation on their own—with little success. With our experience in the Clean Label space, we can take a new look at not only ingredients that clients were thinking about and rejected, but the entire product development process. Crowell said,
“Understanding the different levers we can pull when formulating helps us give the client as many options as possible for the best performing product.”
Does your brand sell in California? If so, get ready for the 2027 rollout of the new food legislation. Contact us at CuliNEX to learn how our expertise and resources can streamline your reformulation process and bring your vision to life.
