Arizona Enacts Healthy Schools Act to Ban Harmful Additives in School Meals
Phoenix, AZ – Governor Katie Hobbs has signed HB2164, the Arizona Healthy Schools Act, which aims to improve student nutrition by banning "ultra-processed foods containing harmful additives" in public school meals, effective in the 2026-2027 school year. Authored by State Rep. Leo Biasiucci, the legislation targets specific ingredients widely criticized for their potential health risks, including potassium bromate, propylparaben, and several artificial colorings.
Notably, some of these additives, such as brominated vegetable oil and Red 3, have already been banned by the FDA. The law prohibits any school participating in federally funded meal programs from selling or serving ultraprocessed foods during school hours. However, it does allow parents to send their children to school with such items.
Biasiucci emphasized the urgency of the bill, citing evidence that these chemicals contribute to health issues from hyperactivity to cancer risk. With unanimous support from lawmakers, the act follows similar initiatives in other states and aligns with recent FDA recommendations urging food processors to eliminate these additives by the end of 2026.
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