Oklahoma bill proposes ban on diet soda ingredients and food dyes

COMMITTEE HEARING TODAY, AND SO I THINK THE CONVERSATION AROUND THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. CANDY, SPORTS DRINKS AND EVEN POPULAR SODA LIKE DIET COKE COULD BE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK IN OKLAHOMA. SENATOR KRISTIN THOMPSON’S BILL, SENATE BILL FOUR WOULD BAN FOOD DYES LIKE RED DYE 40 AND SOME ADDITIVES LIKE ASPARTAME. THE POPULAR INGREDIENT FOR DIET SODAS. AND I THINK WHAT WE’RE ASKING TODAY IS, WHY ARE THESE HARMFUL CHEMICALS BANNED IN OTHER COUNTRIES? BUT IN AMERICA, WHERE WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST HEALTH CARE SPENDING, THEY’RE STILL ALLOWED. COCA-COLA ON ITS WEBSITE DOES SAY THEY SELL DIET COKE SWEETENED WITH SPLENDA, BUT COMMONLY THEY USE ASPARTAME. AND SENATORS HAD CONCERNS WITH THE IMPACTS ON CONSUMERS AND EVEN BUSINESSES, PARTICULARLY OKLAHOMA’S. THE WAY THE BILL IS WRITTEN NOW, THIS IS MORE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON PRIVATE BUSINESSES, NOT LESS. I FEEL THAT IT IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH TELLING PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN EAT AND WHAT THEY CAN’T EAT. THERE ARE SOME SOME THINGS THAT DESIRE SOME MORE CONVERSATIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH RELATION TO US NOT WANTING TO HARM OUR BIG BUSINESSES THAT ARE WITHIN OUR STATE. AND A BIG QUESTION IS OKLAHOMA STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE CHANGES AGAINST GIANT COMPANIES? DO YOU DO YOU BELIEVE THAT OKLAHOMA HAS THE PURCHASING POWER TO BE ABLE TO FORCE THESE LARGE MANUFACTURERS TO SELL CLEAN FOODS IN OUR STATE? NO, I DON’T, BUT I THINK WHEN WE COLLABORATE WITH ALL OF THESE OTHER STATES, WE DO. THERE ARE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER STATES TO BAN SOME FOOD DYES. BUT THOMPSON SAYS HER BILL IS PROBABLY THE BOLDEST ONE IN THE COUNTRY. IT PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE, WITH ONE REPUBLICAN VOTING AGAINST THE BILL. NOW, THE BILL CAN STILL BE CHANGED AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESSES HAVE TOLD US THAT DYES ONLY HELP COLOR ITEMS, BUT WITHOUT THEM, THEIR PRODUCTS DO GET MORE EXPENSIVE TO MAKE. IF IT BECOMES LAW, IT COULD GO INTO EFFEC

An Oklahoma Senate committee advances a bill to ban certain food dyes and additives, sparking debate on health and government regulation.

An Oklahoma Senate committee advanced a bill Monday that would ban certain food dyes and additives, including those found in diet sodas, sparking debate on health and government regulation.”The conversation around this is so incredibly important,” said Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond.Senate Bill 4, introduced by Thompson, aims to ban food dyes like Red Dye 40 and additives such as aspartame, a common ingredient in diet sodas.”What we are asking today is why are these harmful chemicals banned in other countries, but in America, where we have some of the highest health care spending, they’re still allowed?” Thompson said.Coca-Cola’s website said that it sells Diet Coke sweetened with Splenda but commonly uses aspartame.Senators expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on consumers and businesses in Oklahoma.”The way the bill is written now, this is more government regulations on private businesses, not less,” said Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant.>> Video Below: Edmond lawmaker wants to ban artificial dyes in foods”I feel that it is government overreach telling people what they can eat and what they can’t eat,” said Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.”There are some things that desire some more conversations, especially as it relates to us not wanting to harm our big businesses that are within our state,” said Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City.A significant question raised was whether Oklahoma has the strength to challenge large companies.”Do you believe that Oklahoma has the purchasing power to be able to force these large manufacturers to sell clean food in our state?” asked Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.”No, I don’t, but I think when we collaborate with all of these other states, we do,” Thompson responded.>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelThompson noted that while other states are moving to ban some food dyes, her bill is likely the boldest in the country.The bill passed out of committee with one Republican voting against it.The bill can still be changed as it moves through the legislature.Local food and drink businesses have indicated that while dyes only help color items, their products become more expensive to make without them.If it becomes law, the bill will go into effect in January 2027.Top Headlines TIMELINE: Severe storms bring a risk of tornadoes, damaging winds to Oklahoma Oscars 2025: Here’s a list of all the winners at the 97th Academy Awards Survivors of heinous Oklahoma crime speak out prior to inmate’s scheduled execution Michigan mom asks judge to declare sons dead 15 years after their disappearance Exotic car owner busted by OHP for expired tag, speeding over 100 mph

OKLAHOMA CITY —

An Oklahoma Senate committee advanced a bill Monday that would ban certain food dyes and additives, including those found in diet sodas, sparking debate on health and government regulation.

“The conversation around this is so incredibly important,” said Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond.

Senate Bill 4, introduced by Thompson, aims to ban food dyes like Red Dye 40 and additives such as aspartame, a common ingredient in diet sodas.

“What we are asking today is why are these harmful chemicals banned in other countries, but in America, where we have some of the highest health care spending, they’re still allowed?” Thompson said.

Coca-Cola’s website said that it sells Diet Coke sweetened with Splenda but commonly uses aspartame.

Senators expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on consumers and businesses in Oklahoma.

“The way the bill is written now, this is more government regulations on private businesses, not less,” said Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant.

>> Video Below: Edmond lawmaker wants to ban artificial dyes in foods

“I feel that it is government overreach telling people what they can eat and what they can’t eat,” said Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.

“There are some things that desire some more conversations, especially as it relates to us not wanting to harm our big businesses that are within our state,” said Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City.

A significant question raised was whether Oklahoma has the strength to challenge large companies.

“Do you believe that Oklahoma has the purchasing power to be able to force these large manufacturers to sell clean food in our state?” asked Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.

“No, I don’t, but I think when we collaborate with all of these other states, we do,” Thompson responded.

>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel

Thompson noted that while other states are moving to ban some food dyes, her bill is likely the boldest in the country.

The bill passed out of committee with one Republican voting against it.

The bill can still be changed as it moves through the legislature.

Local food and drink businesses have indicated that while dyes only help color items, their products become more expensive to make without them.

If it becomes law, the bill will go into effect in January 2027.

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