PHX Reporter

The Arizona House of Representatives has approved HB2164, known as the Arizona Healthy Schools Act. This legislation, sponsored by State Representative Leo Biasiucci, aims to eliminate ultra-processed foods with harmful additives from public school meals. The bill received unanimous support and is intended to ensure that taxpayer-funded school meals focus on children's health.

"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."

The bill prohibits the sale or serving of school foods containing potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, propylparaben, and synthetic food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5. These substances are already restricted or banned in Europe due to their harmful effects on children's health. The legislation follows similar actions recently taken in California.

Representative Biasiucci acknowledged the support from the national Make America Healthy Again movement, parents, health advocates, and public figures for backing this initiative. "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 aligns with the House Republican Majority Plan's objectives of preserving the American Dream and protecting individual rights, including parents' right to expect safe and nutritious food for their children in taxpayer-funded schools.

With approval from the House, HB2164 will now proceed to the Senate for consideration.

Leo Biasiucci serves as a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 30 and chairs the House Transportation Committee.

Information from this article can be found here.