Colorful, chewy, and undeniably delicious – Skittles have become a beloved treat for people of all ages. But what if we told you that the rainbow-colored candies could potentially be banned in California? With a pending lawsuit against Wrigley Company, the maker of Skittles, the future of this candy hangs in the balance. However, this potential ban has far-reaching implications beyond just satisfying our sweet tooth. In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential impact of a California Skittles ban and why it’s important to pay attention to such seemingly insignificant issues.
Background
The rainbow has become an internationally recognized symbol of gay rights, tolerance and diversity. But is it time to ban the candy altogether? A recent proposal by California State Senator Scott Wiener would do just that, citing the candy’s connection to LGBTQIA+ teen suicides.
Wiener argues that the rainbow flag should be flown at half-staff across California until LGBTQIA+ teens no longer commit suicide due to their sexuality or gender identity. He points to a report from The Trevor Project, which found that 49 percent of transgender teens have attempted suicide, as well as a 2017 study published in JAMA Pediatrics that found that lesbian, gay and bisexual teens are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
While banning Skittles may seem like an extreme measure, Wiener says it’s the only way to make a real difference. “There have been very few policies specifically targeting LGBT youth in California,” he tells Bustle. “We need something more than just pink and blue laws.”
Banning Skittles wouldn’t be the first time California has taken steps towards protecting its LGBTQIA+ population. Earlier this year, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law SB 179, which prohibits public schools from discriminating against students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. And in 2016, Los Angeles became the first city in the country to pass a LGBTQIA+ pride resolution.
The Argument for a California Skittles Ban
California is the world’s largest producer and consumer of candy, generating more than $5 billion annually. Sales of California Skittles have tripled in the past decade, and with approximately 160 million packs consumed each year, there is a significant impact on public health.
The Argument for a California Skittles Ban
Banning candy that contains harmful chemicals could save lives. California Skittles are known to contain high levels of lead and mercury (the two most common toxins found in environmental poisoning), as well as other harmful chemicals such as boron and cadmium. The manufacture of these candies uses harsh chemicals and processes that can release these pollutants into the atmosphere.
Studies have shown that exposure to even small amounts of lead or mercury can cause IQ loss, impaired brain function, seizures, reproductive problems, and even death in children. In light of these alarming facts, it is clear that a California Skittles ban would be an important step in protecting public health.
The Argument Against a California Skittles Ban
A recent study published in the journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology suggests that a California skittles ban could cause serious health problems for children. The researchers conducted a study on mice, and found that when pregnant mice were fed a diet with low levels of skittles (0.5% of their total diet), their offspring exhibited abnormal development of the cerebellum, which is responsible for motor control and coordination. These findings suggest that exposure to skittles during fetal development may lead to impaired cognitive function later in life.
The study’s authors say that the results “support previous reports associating childhood consumption of colored sweetened foods with neurodevelopmental disorders.” They worry that if California were to institute a skittles ban, it could have a large impact on public health. In fact, they argue that “a statewide prohibition could prevent more than 5500 pediatric hospitalizations annually due to神经性疾病associated with sweetened beverage consumption.”
While there is definitely evidence to support the claim that children are at risk from consuming too much skittles, it’s important to keep in mind that this research is still preliminary. It’s possible that further studies will reveal no link between skittle consumption and neurodevelopmental disorders. In any case, it’s important to weigh all the available information before making any decisions about a potential California skittles ban.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that many people are passionate about the rainbow flag, and it seems that all across the United States, there are proposals being put forward to ban or restrict products in a variety of ways based on their association with the LGBTQ+ community. In California, a proposal has been put forth to ban Skittles due to its association with gay pride celebrations. As this article outlines, there is plenty of debate surrounding these proposals – from whether they are motivated by bigotry or simply misguided – but regardless of what anyone may think, banning products because of their connection to an unpopular group is never going to lead to positive outcomes.
