Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

May 22, 2025

Pennsylvanians Deserve Clarity About Their Food

We wouldn’t allow pharmaceutical companies to evaluate their own medications, so why should we let food corporations determine the safety of the ingredients they offer?

It’s important we move beyond simply trusting industry assurances and begin to prioritize the well-being of our communities. In Pennsylvania, we have a responsibility to protect consumers from harmful chemicals, questionable additives and misleading claims that have long been present in our food supply. It’s time for change.

For years, Americans have been led to believe they have a choice when it comes to food. However, the reality of our food system raises many concerns. Our grocery stores, school lunches and children's snacks often contain harmful dyes, artificial flavors, pesticides and heavily processed ingredients. It’s difficult to avoid these issues or fully understand the labels. When so many products on the shelves are linked to serious health concerns, genuine choice feels elusive.

Recently, the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee held an important hearing on food safety, revealing the extent of our challenges. Insights from experts, including those from the Environmental Working Group and the Michael J. Fox Foundation, highlighted many substances in our food, such as synthetic dyes and pesticide residues, which are not as harmless as we might think. These ingredients have been associated with serious health issues, yet the loophole known as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) allows many of them to remain legal and widely available without adequate oversight or testing.

In the U.S., we often treat food ingredients as if they are innocent until proven guilty, but unlike individuals, these substances shouldn't automatically receive that benefit of the doubt. They require prompt, science-based regulations rather than a lengthy wait for definitive proof of harm. While we take time to respond, many other countries have already banned these same ingredients to protect their populations.

This situation calls for urgent action.

That is why I have co-sponsored the Healthy PA legislative package, a bipartisan initiative introduced by my colleague, Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington). These bills represent a crucial first step toward improving the safety of Pennsylvania’s food supply, enhancing consumer transparency and addressing concerning health trends in our state.

We can no longer overlook the underlying issues. Each year, the U.S. spends approximately $5 trillion - nearly 20% of our gross domestic product (GDP) - on treating chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Yet, we invest very little in prevention by tackling the toxic factors contributing to these issues. Think of our health as a tree. The visible branches are the illnesses, but the roots, affected by poor nutrition and harmful chemicals, are where the real problems lie. Until we address these root causes, the branches will continue to weaken.

As lawmakers, we often discuss personal responsibility, and I agree individuals should have the opportunity to make informed choices about their diets. However, how can they do so when the information is obscured by confusing labels and industry-funded studies? How can a parent select the right option when a “healthy” cereal contains neurotoxic dyes that are banned in other countries?

The Healthy PA package aims to enhance transparency, improve labeling, and in some cases, remove the most hazardous additives from our food supply. Pennsylvanians deserve more than the current situation. We have the right to know what’s in our food and how it affects our health.

This is about advocating for a better future for our children, our communities and everyone in Pennsylvania. We owe it to each resident to restore integrity to the food we consume daily.

The Healthy PA package represents an essential first step toward raising awareness and implementing necessary changes for the safety of all our residents. 



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper