ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS

Horne urges passage of bill to get harmful junk food out of schools

Feb 5, 2025, 5:00 AM | Updated: 7:28 am

PHOENIX — Cutting out junk foods is a common New Year’s resolution, but Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is taking it a step further. He wants to get it out of schools, as well.

That’s why he’s urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 2164. The junk food bill aims to remove foods and drinks with specific ingredients from cafeterias across the state.

“The time has come to eliminate harmful foods from public schools and vending machines,” Horne said during a Tuesday news conference. “Synthetic food dyes are associated with behavioral issues which then affect a child’s ability to perform academically and engage socially.”

He was joined by several advocates and state lawmakers, including Rep. Leo Biasiucci, who is sponsoring the bill.

Arizona junk food bill: What’s in it?

If the law passes, schools could not sell foods with one or more of these ingredients during regular school days:

  • Potassium bromate.
  • Propylparaben.
  • Titanium dioxide.
  • Brominated vegetable oil.
  • Yellow dyes 5 and 6.
  • Blue dyes 1 and 2
  • Red dyes 3 and 40.
  • Green dye 3.

“There are approximately 10,000 ingredients approved for use in the U.S. versus about 400 in Europe, and these issues need to be addressed,” Horne said. “Replacing foods that contain these ingredients and synthetic dye with those that are minimally processed is achievable.”

He lauded the Arizona Department of Education’s Try it Local program, which gives those in charge of school nutrition plans additional reimbursements if they buy locally grown foods with minimal processing.

“This is a familiar crusade for me. In 2006, I was successful in getting sugared sodas out of schools, and I am just as enthusiastic about seeing this effort succeed,” Horne said. “I urge passage of this bill, and the governor should sign it.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona Education News

A new report found one-third of Arizona public grade school students are chronically absent from sc...

Balin Overstolz

Chronic absentee rate for Arizona students remains far above pre-pandemic level, study finds

A new report found one-third of Arizona public grade school students are chronically absent from school, which is double the absence rate before the pandemic.

3 days ago

Phoenix principal wins $25K, named one of top U.S. educators...

Serena O'Sullivan

Phoenix elementary school principal named one of the top educators in the country

Phoenix principal Jeff Martin cried happy tears as he won the $25,000 Milken Educator Award, which names him one of the top U.S. educators.

5 days ago

Arizona junk food bill lauded by Tom Horne on Feb. 3, 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Horne urges passage of bill to get harmful junk food out of schools

Tom Horne is urging lawmakers to pass a junk food bill that aims to remove foods and drinks with specific ingredients from Arizona cafeterias.

5 days ago

Chandler teacher wins award 2025: Angel Acosta Carrasquillo...

Serena O'Sullivan

Chandler teacher wins Bruce and Gaydos’ teacher tribute for launching STEM initiatives in school

KTAR is shining its monthly Pay Tribute to a Teacher spotlight on Angel Acosta Carrasquillo, who teaches STEM.

6 days ago

Mesa Community College have announced they have has been granted $225,000 through Meta that will pr...

Bailey Leasure

Mesa College Promise expands scholarship opportunities thanks to Meta

Mesa Community College has announced they have been granted $225,000 through Meta that will provide more scholarship opportunities.

7 days ago

ASU Republican group event DACA ICE...

Balin Overstolz McNair

ASU Republican group calling for deportations on campus receives backlash from fellow students

An ASU Republican group is urging students to report suspected undocumented migrant peers to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, drawing backlash from fellow students.

9 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Horne urges passage of bill to get harmful junk food out of schools