Bill > SB745

This bill, aiming to improve school nutrition programs in West Virginia, introduces several new requirements for public schools. Starting in August 2025, certain artificial food dyes, including Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, and Green Dye No. 3, will be prohibited in school meals. Then, by August 2027, a more extensive list of food additives, such as titanium dioxide, BHT, BHA, aspartame, and sucralose, will also be banned as added ingredients. Concurrently, the bill mandates a gradual reduction in the percentage of daily calories from added sugars in school meals, decreasing from 10% in 2027 to 5% by 2029, or as specified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child Nutrition Programs, whichever is less. Furthermore, by August 2027, schools will be required to post their breakfast and lunch menus, including ingredient lists, on their websites. The bill also allows for waivers from the additive restrictions under specific circumstances, such as if a suitable alternative product cannot be found or purchased at a comparable price, requiring documentation and approval from the Department of Education's Office of Child Nutrition. Finally, the Department of Education will be responsible for submitting an annual report to legislative oversight commissions detailing waiver requests, grants, and denials.