Mohave Today

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

Representative Biasiucci said, "Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their meals," emphasizing the importance of providing nutritious food at schools. He added, "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."

HB2164 specifically prohibits 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 potential harmful effects on children's health. The bill follows similar legislation recently enacted in California.

Biasiucci credited the national Make America Healthy Again movement and various advocates for supporting this initiative. He remarked, "This is a public health issue," citing evidence linking these chemicals to issues such as hyperactivity and increased cancer risk.

The passage of HB2164 aligns with the House Republican Majority Plan's goals of preserving the American Dream and protecting individual rights, including ensuring safe and nutritious food for children in taxpayer-funded schools. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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

Information from this article can be found here.