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

For immediate release: February 4, 2025
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Horne urges passage of bill to get harmful junk food out of schools

Lawmakers considering measure to address health problems

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne is throwing his support behind a bill that stops schools from providing harmful foods on campus amid growing concerns about ingredients that potentially cause significant health risks for children.

Horne was joined by state lawmakers Rep. Leo Biasiucci, Education Committee Chairman Rep. Matt Gress and Sen. Janae Shamp, a Registered Nurse. Also voicing their support are Chris Chavez, the Turning Point USA Action Director of Coalitions, Diana Diaz Harrison of Arizona Autism Schools, Julie Hinman, Owner, SOAL Wellness, U.S. military veteran Brian Sikma, and actor / health food advocate Rob Schneider.

Rep. Biasiucci is sponsoring HB 2164, a bill that would prohibit public schools from serving or selling food containing ingredients shown in scientific studies to be harmful, such as potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, yellow dyes 5 and 6, blue dyes 1 and 2, red dyes 3 and 40 and green dye 3.

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

He added, “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. Replacing foods that contain these ingredients and synthetic dye with those that are minimally processed is achievable. Manufacturers have already worked over the past few years to remove trans-fat and reduce sodium to meet USDA requirements. ADE also administers the ‘Try it Local’ program which provides additional reimbursement to school nutrition program operators who purchase locally grown, minimally processed foods.

He concluded, “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. I urge passage of this bill, and the governor should sign it.”

Rep. Biasiucci noted, “Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their lunches. If we’re providing meals at school, they should be real, nutritious food—not the kind of processed junk that’s banned in other countries. This bill puts the health of Arizona’s children first, plain and simple.”

Sen. Janae Shamp added, “What we feed our kids matters. Schools shouldn’t be serving ultra-processed, chemically engineered, junk food. I’m proud to back HB2164 because Arizona’s children deserve better. And this is just the beginning—I’m excited to launch the Make America Healthy Caucus with Rep. Biasiucci to start making real change. Let’s Make Arizona Healthy Again!”

Chris Chavez of Turning Point USA noted, “Turning Point Action's Healthy Americans Coalition unites parents and other concerned citizens to improve their communities’ health. Yet, Arizona’s students are being fed harmful, chemical-laden foods, fueling obesity and diabetes. The Arizona Healthy Schools Act offers them a chance at a healthier future.”

Actor and health food advocate Rob Schneider explained, “The needs of the most precious members of our community, our children, must come first. We can no longer allow school lunches to be junk foods filled with toxic chemicals, unhealthy additives, dyes and preservatives. Our kids deserve better! I look forward to working with Representative Leo Biasiucci and the wonderful Chef’s in Arizona to bring healthy organic real food to our state school’s lunch programs!”

Diana Diaz-Harrison, Founder & Executive Director, Arizona Autism Charter Schools said, “As the founder of Arizona Autism Charter Schools, I have witnessed firsthand how ultra-processed foods impact children’s behavior, attention span, and overall health—including co-occurring conditions like gut issues and seizures. Our schools' anecdotal data aligns with national data showing that at least 40% of students make significant gains simply by improving their diets and eliminating these foods. I’m also an autism mom, and I’ve experienced this transformation personally. By removing ultra-processed foods from my son’s diet, we’ve minimized his seizures, improved his health, and helped him become more engaged in school. Eliminating ultra-processed foods from school lunches is a critical step toward giving all children the best chance to thrive.”

U.S. military veteran Brian Sikma added, “Health and fitness are matters of national security. Too many young Americans are ineligible for public service in our nation’s military as a result of medical issues ranging from obesity to mental health. Better, healthier food choices will enable our next generation to pursue their dreams, secure our nation, and continue to write the next great chapter of the American story.”

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