New Indiana House bill would prevent schools from offering 'ultraprocessed' foods, beverages

New Indiana House bill would prevent schools from offering 'ultraprocessed' foods, beverages

INDIANAPOLIS -- On the same day as the unveiling of new federal dietary guidance, the Indiana House Committee on Education hosted a hearing on a bill that centers on preventing schools from offering ultraprocessed foods and beverages. House Bill 1137, authored by Indiana State Rep. Julie McGuire, a Republican from Indianapolis, had its first reading [...]

Proposal would ban certain food dyes and preservatives from Indiana school lunches

Indiana could join a growing number of states scrutinizing ultra-processed foods in schools under legislation heard Wednesday that would restrict certain additives in student meals and snacks.

Proposal would ban certain additives from Indiana school lunches

Indiana could join a growing number of states scrutinizing ultra-processed foods in schools under legislation heard Wednesday that would restrict certain additives in student meals and snacks.

Lawmakers consider banning artificial dyes and preservatives from Indiana school meals

INDIANAPOLIS Indiana lawmakers are considering a ban on a list of ingredients tied to ultra-processed foods in school meals, saying a large portion of the calories children consume comes from those lunches.WATCH FULL STORY BELOW Lawmakers consider banning artificial dyes, preservatives from school mealsThe bill would prohibit the following ingredients from school breakfasts and lunches: Potassium bromate Propylparaben Titanium dioxide Yellow dye…

Indiana lawmakers target "Ultra-Processed" foods in schools with House Bill 1137

INDIANA — Indiana could soon join a growing national movement to scrub chemical additives from school cafeterias. On Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, members of the House Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1137, a measure that would restrict several controversial food dyes and preservatives from student meals and vending machines. Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) Authored by Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis), the bill is aimed at pu…

The Sausage Standoff: Defining ‘Ultra-Processed’ in Indiana Schools

A bill at the Indiana Statehouse that aims to make kids healthier is sparking debate about ultraprocessed foods and where pork fits into that definition. Marion County Republican Julie McGuire has introduced House Bill 1137, which states that public schools can’t serve or sell an ultra-processed food or beverage on school days. There are 13 ingredients that show up on McGuire’s banned list. “If you have a nutrient-dense food like sausage, and on…