Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- target /TAHR-git/
- legislation /lej-is-LEY-shuhn/
- incorporate /in-KAWR-puh-reyt/
- immune system /uh-MYOON SI-stm/
- ample /AM-puhl/
[verb] – to aim, focus on, or direct efforts toward achieving a specific goal or objective
The company launched a new marketing campaign targeting younger consumers.
[noun] – a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament
The new legislation aims to enhance internet privacy and security for all users.
[verb] – to include something as part of something larger
The architect sought to incorporate elements of nature into the design of the building.
[noun] – the cells and tissues in the body that make it able to protect itself against infection
The immune system plays a crucial role in protecting the body from infections and diseases.
[adjective] – more than enough
After a bountiful harvest, the farmer had ample supplies of fresh vegetables to last through the winter.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently enacted a pioneering law targeting the prohibition of red dye No. 3 and other potentially harmful additives in consumer goods. This makes California the first state in the US to restrict these ingredients, commonly found in various candies, beverages, and more. The Environmental Working Group, along with Consumer Reports, sponsored this legislation, officially named the California Food Safety Act, or Assembly Bill 418. Introduced by Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel and Buffy Wicks, the law now bars the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food items in California containing potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, or propylparaben and red dye No. 3. These substances serve different functions, from enhancing dough in baked goods to preserving food antimicrobially.
Nearly 3,000 products, including popular items like Skittles, Nerds, Trolli gummies, as well as protein shakes, instant rice, and boxed cake mixes, incorporate red dye No. 3. Governor Newsom pointed to Skittles’ availability in the European Union as proof of the food industry’s adaptability to meet public health standards. This brings the U.S. closer to EU regulations, which ban these chemicals due to their proven health risks. These include heightened cancer risk, behavioral issues in children, reproductive system harm, and damage to the immune system. Newsom sees this law as a positive step until the U.S. FDA establishes updated safety standards. It goes into effect in 2027, giving brands ample time to adjust their recipes, ensuring Californians can still enjoy their favorite foods confidently.
Nearly 3,000 products, including popular items like Skittles, Nerds, Trolli gummies, as well as protein shakes, instant rice, and boxed cake mixes, incorporate red dye No. 3. Governor Newsom pointed to Skittles’ availability in the European Union as proof of the food industry’s adaptability to meet public health standards. This brings the U.S. closer to EU regulations, which ban these chemicals due to their proven health risks. These include heightened cancer risk, behavioral issues in children, reproductive system harm, and damage to the immune system. Newsom sees this law as a positive step until the U.S. FDA establishes updated safety standards. It goes into effect in 2027, giving brands ample time to adjust their recipes, ensuring Californians can still enjoy their favorite foods confidently.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever checked the ingredient list for additives, like red dye No. 3, in food products you consume? If yes, what was your reaction upon finding them? If not, would you be inclined to start checking food labels for potentially harmful additives after learning about California’s new food safety law? Why or why not?
- Have you or someone you know personally experienced any health concerns that might be attributed to additives like red dye No. 3 or other potentially harmful substances in food products? If yes, could you share some details about that experience? If not, has this information influenced your perspective on food additives?
- Do you believe other states in the U.S. should adopt similar legislation to restrict potentially harmful additives in consumer goods?
- How might the enactment of the California Food Safety Act influence the food industry on a national scale, considering California’s significant market presence?
- What role do consumers play in influencing food manufacturers to reformulate their products in compliance with new safety standards, and how might this impact the larger food industry landscape?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- restrict
- protein
- reproductive system
- behavioral issue
- health risk