California Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials approved a first-in-the-nation bill to ban five harmful chemicals from candy, cereals and other processed food.

The bill, AB 418 by assembly member Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), would end the use of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl paraben, Red Dye No. 3 and titanium dioxide in popular food products sold in the state. The chemicals are reportedly linked to serious health problems, such as a higher risk of cancer, nervous system damage and hyperactivity.