State Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R-Lake Havasu City) is drafting legislation to prohibit the use of “ultra-processed foods” in Arizona public schools, aiming to eliminate artificial additives like dyes and chemicals from cafeteria meals, snack bars, and vending machines.
The proposed ban targets substances such as potassium bromate, used in bread, and synthetic food dyes like Blue #2 and Yellow #6, which are common in cereals, candies, and snacks. While parents could still pack these foods in their children’s lunches, Biasiucci’s legislation would restrict their availability during the school day, with exceptions for after-school events such as football games.
Biasiucci cited his travels to Italy, where he noticed stark differences in the ingredients of processed foods compared to those sold in the United States. He emphasized that his initiative was timely, aligning with increased attention to food safety issues under President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr.
“I just don’t want to wait for the federal government to act,” Biasiucci said. “If we’re providing food for free to our children, I want to ensure it’s safe and nutritious.”
The Arizona School Boards Association called the proposal “a step in the right direction” but stressed the need for adequate funding to prevent meal accessibility issues for vulnerable students.
Biasiucci acknowledged the potential costs but pointed to federal funding programs, such as the USDA’s “Try It Local” initiative, which reimburses schools for purchasing minimally processed local foods. He argued that proper nutrition for students should take precedence over other federally funded priorities.
State Superintendent Tom Horne expressed interest in studying the effects of these additives before taking a position. Horne has a history of supporting healthier food options in schools, having previously backed a ban on sugared sodas.
If passed, Arizona would join other states like California, which has already implemented similar restrictions on artificial additives in schools, scheduled to take effect in 2028. Biasiucci’s proposal reflects growing national concerns about the long-term health effects of processed foods on children.