New York and Arizona introduce bills banning certain additives in school mealsNew York and Arizona introduce bills banning certain additives in school meals

The spotlight on additives in school meals continues this week as more states introduce legislation that would ban certain substances in school meals. In addition, two states look at expanding universal free school meal access. 

Here’s the latest in school nutrition legislation. 

Arizona and New York look to ban certain substances in school meals 

Arizona and New York are the latest states to introduce bills that would ban certain additives in school meals.

In Arizona, Representative Leo Biasiucci introduced HB2164. The bill would ban potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, yellow dye No. 5, blue dye No. 1 and more from being used in school meals. Meanwhile in New York, lawmakers have introduced companion bills A01556 and S01239 which would ban red dye No. 40, green dye No. 3, blue dye No.1 and other additives from school meals. 

This is the latest example of lawmakers taking a harder look at what ingredients are used in school food. In November, lawmakers in Texas introduced HB 1290 which would ban brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, butylated hydroxyanisole and titanium dioxide in free or reduced-price school meals throughout the state. 

In addition, California Governor Gavin Newsome signed A.B. 2316 into law last September which bans the use of red dye No. 40, yellow dye No. 5, yellow dye No. 6, blue dye No. 1, blue dye No. 2 and green dye No. 3. from being used in public school meals. 

The FDA also recently banned the additive red dye No. 3 from inclusion in food and beverages. 

Nebraska lawmakers reintroduce universal free school meals bill 

Nebraska lawmakers are once again trying to bring universal free school meals to their state. Introduced this legislative session by Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, the Hunger-Free Schools Act would provide universal free breakfast and lunch each day at school to all students, regardless of their family’s income level. 

This is not the first time the state has tried to pass a universal free school meals bill and lawmakers have been trying to enact free meals at school for all students for the past couple of years but all the bills have failed thus far. 

If Nebraska were to enact universal free school meals it would join other states that offer universal free breakfast and lunch at school, including California and Maine. 

Free school breakfast could be coming to Arkansas students

Arkansas students may be able to receive free breakfast each day at school thanks to a new bipartisan bill introduced in the state senate. If passed, SB59 would provide free breakfast each day at school to all students. 

The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.

If signed into law, Arkansas would join Pennsylvania in offering universal free school breakfast.