SALT LAKE CITY \u2014 The elementary school snack list looks a little different this year! A new law requires Utah schools to remove certain synthetic dyes and additives from food served during the school day.<\/p>\n
Teachers are a little hyper about it, parents are curious about it, so we asked Health Contributor Miki Eberhardt to give us her take on House Bill 402.<\/p>\n
“This bill removes two additives and all the food dyes from what is being served at school breakfast and lunch,” she explained.<\/p>\n
While the goal is to get rid of certain synthetic ingredients, Eberhardt said the bigger conversation goes beyond food coloring and into the overall quality of nutrition in our schools.<\/p>\n
Now banned in Utah SchoolsPotassium bromatePropylparabenFD&C Blue No. 1FD&C Blue No. 2FD&C Green No. 3FD&C Red No. 3FD&C Red No. 40FD&C Yellow No. 5FD&C Yellow No. 6<\/p>\n
Eberhardt explained that potassium bromate is commonly used in commercial baking as a gluten strengthener, while propylparaben is an antifungal and preservative.<\/p>\n
“Those two are banned in Europe. They’re banned in California. It’s probably smart, time to get rid of them,” she said.<\/p>\n
School Lunches May Not Change as Much as You Think<\/p>\n
Eberhardt said many school meal programs already closely meet the new requirements.<\/p>\n
“For those meals particularly, I don’t think it will change a lot,” she said. “\u200aA Granite School District spokesperson said, ‘We had to remove Doritos from a lunch, but other than that, our meals are pretty already in line.'”<\/p>\n
Eberhardt said the bigger impact could show up outside the cafeteria.<\/p>\n
“I think the difference comes from the classroom stuff itself \u200awith what’s happening with the kids and parties and snacks and things that happen in the classroom,” she explained.<\/p>\n
Eberhardt emphasized that the law only applies to food specifically served by schools.<\/p>\n
“If you’re taking home lunch, you can send whatever you want,” she said. “That is totally fine.”<\/p>\n
The new rules do come with exceptions. It doesn’t apply to school events and vending machine sales. There is also an exception with classroom treats provided by teachers.<\/p>\n
“Teachers can provide those things still if everybody signs a waiver,” Eberhardt said.<\/p>\n
She did note that many teachers may decide the paperwork just isn’t worth it. Many classrooms may choose to follow the new standards regardless.<\/p>\n
Snacks That Still Work<\/p>\n
Eberhardt said that parents don’t have to reinvent classroom snacks completely. There are lots of options that already fit the new guidelines. <\/p>\n
“They’re gonna be colored with natural fruit or vegetable juice rather than colors,” she explained.<\/p>\n
Even some popular snacks still make the cut. Even though they’re still a processed product they don’t have the food dyes. She also recommended leaning toward less refined, more whole food-based options whenever possible. <\/p>\n
Is This Enough to Improve Kids’ Nutrition?<\/p>\n
Eberhardt supports removing artificial dyes and additives, but she doesn’t see the law as a complete solution.<\/p>\n
“My hot take is this feels to me like a Band-Aid on something that needs surgery and stitches,” she said. “The bigger issue\u2026 we gotta do a lot better with what that school system nutrition provides from the top down.”<\/p>\n
Removing these ingredients is a good step, but it’s only one part of a bigger effort to improve children’s nutrition.<\/p>\n
Find more advice from Miki Eberhardt on Instagram, @nutritionbymiki.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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