Bills banning toxic chemicals and vaccines in food fail to pass

(Image via Petros Karadjias/Associated Press)

A collection of bills that would have required labeling of, or completely banned, certain chemicals and vaccine ingredients being put into food products failed to make it through the process this Regular Session.

Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters sponsored legislation (SB 196) that would have required clear labeling on food that contains vaccines or vaccine materials.

The Senate passed the bill unanimously. But the measure fell short in the House and was permanently withdrawn.

The bill’s analysis states that the regulation of drugs and cosmetics is intended to protect public health and public welfare by protecting consumers against any injuries or merchandising deceit.

The use of plant food being used as a delivery mechanism for mRNA vaccines would have also been prohibited, with the analysis noting that recent studies have been conducted into ways of implanting DNA containing mRNA into lettuce and other plant foods that would be similar to the dosage in a COVID vaccine.

Its House companion bill (HB 525) sponsored by Palm Bay Republican Rep. Monique Miller was not picked up in any committees it was assigned to.

Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud also sponsored a measure (SB 1744) that aimed to regulate chemicals in cosmetic products to protect public health. However, the bill was never taken up in committee.

Cosmetics sold in Florida would have been prohibited from containing several substances, including ortho-phthalates, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, methylene glycol, mercury and its compounds, triclosan, and lead above 1 part per million.

Lake Clarke Shores Democratic Rep. Debra Tendrich sponsored legislation (HB 641) required warning labels on food and drink products containing synthetic dyes, including Blue1, Red 40 and Yellow 5. But the bill died during the committee process.

The labels would have been required to contain warnings printed directly onto the product’s packaging that the consumption of the product could negatively affect the activity, attention and behavior of children.

It further carried fines for noncompliance by manufacturers ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per item depending on the number of offenses. Retailers could have also faced fines escalating to $2,500 for selling improperly labeled products.

Its identical Senate companion bill (SB 764) sponsored by Port Orange Republican Sen. Tom Wright was never presented to its assigned committees.