Grand Canyon Times

With Arizona leaders unifying statewide to support the Trump administration's initiative for healthier schools, a Maricopa County leader has opposed the move. The Fountain Hills Town Council initially showed unanimous support for HB2164, known as the "Arizona Healthy Schools Act," which aims to improve food quality in public schools. However, after the meeting concluded, Democratic council member Peggy McMahon withdrew her vote.

Despite McMahon's change of heart, the motion still passed. Vice Mayor Hannah Toth expressed disappointment over McMahon's decision, stating on X: "Welp, that was a short-lived beautiful moment of unity for the health of our children." Toth emphasized that the U.S. is among few developed countries not banning certain ingredients targeted by the bill.

The bill aligns with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement led by Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who aims to reduce chronic diseases within two years. The Arizona Healthy Schools Act would ban ultraprocessed foods containing specific chemicals from being served or sold in schools during school hours but does not restrict parents from providing such foods.

An amendment to the bill also prevents third parties from selling these foods on school campuses and requires public schools to certify compliance with this legislation through a standardized form provided by the Arizona Department of Education. The House Education Committee recently passed the bill with bipartisan support.