This data is updated as of March 18, 2026
States are ramping up efforts to clean up school meals, with a growing wave of bills targeting synthetic dyes, preservatives and ultra processed ingredients in K-12 cafeterias. Proposals restrict additives like Red 40 and Yellow 5, require warning labels or limit highly processed foods altogether. Activity continues to expand into 2026 as more states introduce legislation or adopt new standards. Lawmakers point to student health, behavioral impacts and long term exposure concerns, while schools face new compliance demands and manufacturers move to reformulate products to meet shifting state requirements.
