Senate committee approves phase‑out of petroleum‑based food dyes from school nutrition programs

The Senate Education Committee voted to advance legislation aimed at removing petroleum‑based synthetic food dyes from school nutrition programs, adopting an amendment that builds in lead time for existing vendor contracts.

Sen. Crowe, sponsor of SB2423, told the committee the measure updates last year’s action on Red Dye 40 and responds to recent federal guidance from HHS and the FDA targeting a set of dyes for phase‑out. The bill, as amended, would make it unlawful for a local education agency or public school to sell, offer for sale, or provide through a school nutrition program any food or beverage that contains one or more of the listed petroleum‑based synthetic dyes on or after Jan. 1, 1927 (the statute language sets the program prohibition) and disallows entering into new, renewed or amended contracts that include the dyes on or after Aug. 1, 2027, giving schools time to transition existing vendor agreements.

Crowe said he solicited input from school nutrition directors and superintendents; a Carter County nutrition director told the sponsor the measure was “the right thing to do” but that lead time would be critical. The sponsor also said major manufacturers are already shifting to natural alternatives as federal review proceeds.

Committee action

After floor discussion and an amendment that specifies the covered products are those provided through the school nutrition program (excluding vending and booster‑club sales) and sets the contract‑transition dates, the committee adopted the amendment and advanced SB2423 to the calendar (voice vote recorded as 8 ayes, 1 present not voting).