STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Arizona House of Representatives today passed HB2164, the Arizona Healthy Schools Act, legislation sponsored by State Representative Leo Biasiucci that will ban ultra-processed foods containing harmful additives from being served in public school meals. The bill, which received unanimous support, ensures that taxpayer-funded school meals prioritize children’s health and well-being.
“Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their meals,” said Representative Biasiucci. “Parents should know that when their children eat at school, they are getting real, nutritious food—not the kind of processed junk that’s banned in other countries. This is common sense, and I’m proud that my colleagues came together to pass this important bill.”
HB2164 prohibits the sale or serving of school foods that contain potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, propylparaben, and synthetic food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5—several of which are already restricted or banned in Europe due to harmful effects on children’s health. The bill follows similar legislation recently enacted in California.
Representative Biasiucci credited the national Make America Healthy Again movement, as well as parents, health advocates, and public figures, for rallying behind the effort. “This is a public health issue,” he said. “We now have overwhelming evidence that these chemicals can contribute to everything from hyperactivity to increased cancer risk—yet they remain in school meals. We hope to end that today.”
The passage of HB2164 advances the House Republican Majority Plan’s goals of preserving the American Dream and protecting individual rights—including the right of parents to expect safe, nutritious food for their children in taxpayer-funded schools.
With the bill now passed in the House, HB2164 heads to the Senate for consideration.
Leo Biasiucci is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 30 and is Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Follow him on X at @Leo4AzHouse.
