Are Peeps safe to eat? A California lawmaker doesn't think so

Channel 3000 News/AP ^ | April 8, 2023 | AP Staff

[Diana in Wisconsin]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — This Easter, Americans will devour more than 1 billion Peeps — those radiant marshmallow chicks whose appearance on store shelves each year is as much a herald of spring as azaleas at the Masters.

What makes the treats so vibrant is erythrosine, a chemical that shows up on ingredient labels as Red No. 3. It's one of several chemicals, along with titanium dioxide, used to color some of the most popular candy in the country — including Skittles and Hot Tamales.

Both chemicals have been linked to cancer. More than 30 years ago, U.S. regulators banned Red No. 3 from makeup. The U.S. still has not banned the chemical from food, to the dismay of some consumer safety groups.

*SNIP*

"The confectioners and the food industry know the review process at the FDA is broken. They have been hiding behind it for decades. We shouldn't let them hide behind it anymore," Faber said. "If FDA won't fix this review system and keep us safe from dangerous chemicals in our food, it's up to states like California to keep us safe."

Just Born Inc., the Pennsylvania-based company that makes Peeps, said in a statement the company complies with FDA regulations and gets their "ingredients and packaging exclusively from reputable suppliers who adhere to high quality and safety standards."

The company noted its development team is looking for other options.

[joshua c]

they are only edible

if they are stale

[Liberty Valance]

[joshua c]

dont forget circus peanuts

[Brilliant]

Safe but a waste of calories.

[dynachrome]

Cadbury eggs good. Peeps no good.

[dforest]

People would buy them and poke holes in the package to let them dry and then eat them.

[FamiliarFace]

My Mama LOVED Peeps. One time in her last few years, I caught her going into a desk drawer and pulling one out and popping it in her mouth. Once she was caught, we told her she didn’t have to hide them, LOL, she could have as many as she wanted. I have no affinity for them. They’re just cute to look at.

[discostu]

I hope not. That’s half the fun.

[dforest]

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peepers, how many pecks of pickled peepers did Peter Piper pick?

[SIDENET]

I didn't think that anyone actually ate Peeps.

[Hot Tabasco]

I know many people who drank milk when they were children and ultimately died in their 60’s and 70’s......Too many for it to be a mere coincidence.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“...some freaks eat candy corn!”

Candy Corn mixed with a bag of Salted peanuts is divine! It has all the major Food Groups: Sugar, Fat and Salt! ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Have a better way to indulge in ones erythrosine/titanium dioxide fix?”

I’ll bet you can find it in paste Food Coloring for frosting and in those dye-kits for your Easter Eggs...though who can afford them this year?

Let’s Go, Brandon! *SPIT*

[mewzilla]

We need a Come and Take it Flag with Peeps.

[mewzilla]

I’m a traditionalist. I like the yellow chicks to eat.

But for Peeps jousting, they all are good.

[joshua c]

thanks

great way to age them

[mylife]

Why dear Lord?!!! Why??

[mylife]

Omg puke

[Liberty Valance]

lol - makes a great pickleback after a shot of Jamesons -