politics
Arizona Schools Bar Artificial Dyes and Additives Under New State Law
Arizona schools must comply this August with a law barring certain artificial dyes and additives from food served or sold on campus. The measure covers both school-provided meals and items brought by parents for classroom events.
Jul 21, 3:00 PM·1m read1 source
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Arizona schools will implement restrictions on artificial food dyes and additives when classes resume in August. The Arizona Healthy Schools Act, passed last year, prohibits potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, and several synthetic dyes in foods served or sold at schools.
The law applies to student birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and items sold in student stores. Districts must now adjust menus, reformulate recipes with suppliers, or remove certain products.
Ross, director of child nutrition at the Phoenix Elementary School District, said the change requires significant planning. "It's a huge adjustment period from what we've seen," Ross told ABC 15. Some schools have already begun conversations about how to handle classroom celebrations and special events.
Other districts, including Lake Havasu United School District, maintained similar policies before the state law took effect last April. The measure also covers food brought from home to share with an entire class.
Several states have adopted comparable rules for school food. The Trump administration has encouraged companies to shift away from petroleum-based dyes, with some manufacturers introducing naturally colored versions of products such as Doritos, M&Ms, and Skittles.
Kraft Heinz announced last June that it would remove chemical dyes from items including Jell-O, Kool-Aid, and macaroni and cheese by the end of 2027. The administration also updated FDA labeling guidance in February, allowing companies to advertise "no artificial colors" if they avoid petroleum-based dyes.
