By Aashvi Patel, Saint James Academy
Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writer
Sims Goodrich, author of first year bill #36: “McDonald’s Is Giving Us Cancer,” proposes a 1% tax on under-researched food colorings, artificial flavors, and preservatives that have been proven harmful to human health. Additionally, she argues that all foods containing these chemicals should carry a warning label stating that corporations like McDonald’s mislead consumers about the ingredients in their products.
For instance, Goodrich references the many strawberry-flavored items that rely on artificial flavors rather than real strawberries for their taste and color. These products often contain additives like red dye 40, a chemical linked to potential health risks such as cancer. Goodrich also claims that McDonald’s fries were once made from pesticide-treated potatoes deemed too toxic for sale, a practice the company allegedly ignored. Although this issue was addressed in 2009, it serves as evidence of the unethical production methods that corporations will go to in the pursuit of profit. The bill was sent to the Supreme Court to review its constitutionality.