Synthetic meals dyes have been garnering a shocking quantity of consideration over the previous couple of months. The FDA not too long ago banned Crimson No. 3 because of issues in regards to the product’s security. Now plenty of states are making a push to prohibit much more synthetic meals dyes. These bans are defended on the grounds that synthetic dyes pose well being dangers, add nothing of dietary worth, and serve solely to make meals and drinks extra visually interesting. So why not prohibit them? It looks like a ban can be all profit and no value.
Let’s assume, not less than for the sake of argument, that the above issues are justified; even so, we shouldn’t ban synthetic meals dyes. The reason being easy: individuals have the best to determine for themselves whether or not they have good motive to just accept dangers to their very own well being. Suppose, as some declare, that the bans on synthetic dyes would make the related merchandise costlier. As an example, the Nationwide Confectioners Affiliation means that they “will make meals considerably costlier for, and considerably much less accessible to, individuals within the states that go them.” Somebody ought to be free to purchase and eat riskier meals to save cash given that folks typically have the best to take well being dangers for monetary causes. Jane is free to stop her desk job to begin work on a industrial fishing vessel for a trivial improve in wage despite the fact that industrial fishing is so much riskier than working from an workplace. Equally, somebody ought to be free to eat merchandise with synthetic dyes to save cash in the event that they prioritize financial savings over security.
Now, the declare that the synthetic dye bans will make meals costlier is contested. So let’s suppose it’s false and costs received’t change in any respect. Perhaps the one motive why these dyes are used is to make meals and drinks extra aesthetically interesting. Nonetheless, individuals have the best to take dangers for purely aesthetic causes. Think about you’re at a automobile dealership selecting between a grey automobile and a crimson automobile. They’re the identical worth, however the crimson automobile has fewer security options than the grey one. Nonetheless, you merely want crimson and so you purchase the crimson automobile. Perhaps that’s an unwise selection, however it’s yours to make. Or suppose you’ve received a headache and also you’re selecting between two ache relievers. The crimson capsule carries better dangers than the grey capsule. However right here once more, you merely want crimson to grey, and so that you go for the riskier capsule. Few would dispute that you have to be free to make this selection.
The proper to make selections concerning your personal well being is grounded in the best of bodily autonomy, which is typically summarized as “your physique, your selection.” Because it’s your physique, you have got the best to take dangers with it. You may bear dangerous surgical procedures, climb Mount Everest, or just refuse to take wanted medicine. Consider it this fashion: if the Picasso portray is yours, you have got the best to play Frisbee with it. This dangers harming the portray, however it will be unsuitable for others to forcibly cease you. Equally, possibly consuming synthetic meals dyes is dangerous and unwise, however you’re taking the danger with your personal physique. So, it will be unsuitable for others to forcibly forestall you from consuming them.
Lastly, think about that the state doesn’t ban substances which are far extra dangerous than synthetic meals dyes, comparable to cigarettes. That is unusual—it’s analogous to the state making it unlawful to stub your toe to make sure that you’re caring for your well being, whereas on the similar time legalizing dueling. If we’re unwilling to ban merchandise which are extra dangerous than synthetic meals dyes, we shouldn’t be prepared to ban synthetic meals dyes both.
Christopher Freiman is a Professor of Normal Enterprise within the John Chambers Faculty of Enterprise and Economics at West Virginia College.
