Grand Canyon Times

A new state law in Arizona, which restricts schools from providing harmful foods on campus, was celebrated by schoolchildren alongside state lawmakers and schools chief Tom Horne. The bipartisan bill, HB 2164, was signed into law by the Governor. Sponsored by Rep. Leo Biasiucci of Lake Havasu City, the law creates restrictions on public schools serving or selling food containing ingredients shown in scientific studies to be harmful. These include potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, yellow dyes 5 and 6, blue dyes 1 and 2, red dyes 3 and 40, and green dye 3.

Tom Horne commented on the legislation: "This is a familiar crusade for me. In 2006, I was successful in getting sugared sodas out of schools, and I am very enthusiastic that this legislation has become law. We need to eliminate harmful foods from public schools and vending machines. Synthetic food dyes are associated with behavioral issues which then affect a child's ability to perform academically and engage socially. Replacing foods that contain these ingredients and synthetic dye with those that are minimally processed is achievable. This is already done in Europe. Manufacturers have worked over the past few years to remove trans-fat and reduce sodium to meet USDA requirements, so this change is both desirable and possible."

Rep. Biasiucci added: "Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their lunches. If we’re providing meals at school, they should be real, nutritious food—not the kind of processed junk that’s banned in other countries. This law puts the health of Arizona’s children first, plain and simple."

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