REFERENCE TITLE: public schools; ultraprocessed foods

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

2025

HB 2164

Introduced by

Representatives Biasiucci: Bliss, Fink, Gillette, Hernandez C, Martinez, Taylor, Willoughby, Wilmeth;  Senators Angius, Shamp

An Act

amending title 15, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-242.01; relating to the department of education.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 15, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-242.01, to read:

START_STATUTE15-242.01. Ultraprocessed foods; prohibition; definition

A. A public school may not serve or sell ultraprocessed food on the school campus during the normal school day.  This subsection does not prevent a student's parent or guardian from providing ultraprocessed food to the student during the normal school day.

B. The department of education may adopt rules and guidelines to implement this section.

C. For the purposes of this section, "ultraprocessed food" means a food or beverage that contains one or more of the following ingredients:

1. Potassium bromate.

2. Propylparaben.

3. Titanium dioxide.

4. Brominated vegetable oil.

5. Yellow dye 5.

6. Yellow dye 6.

7. Blue dye 1.

8. Blue dye 2.

9. Green dye 3.

10. Red dye 3.

11. Red dye 40. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Legislative findings

The legislature finds that:

1. Childhood obesity, morbidity and wellness are matters of statewide concern.

2. Ultraprocessed, industrially manufactured, nutrient-depleted food with synthetic additives is undernourishing minors at public schools and contributing to childhood obesity.

3. Any taxpayer-funded meal or snack program offered to minors at public schools in this state should be nutritious and made primarily of whole, minimally processed plant or animal products.