Laws
Arizona Healthy Schools Act (HB 2164)
Arizona defines "ultraprocessed food" by the additives it contains, and keeps such food out of schools that take part in the federal meal programs.
Is this dye or additive banned in your state?
FD&C Red No. 40 in Arizona, November 5, 2026
Banned in school food in Arizona
| FDA | Allowed by FDA Listed for use in food. FDA asked industry in April 2025 to stop using it voluntarily; its tracker names the end of 2027 as the target. No revocation order. |
| school food | In effect HB 2164 (2025), from the 2026-2027 school year. |
FD&C Red No. 40, E129, CAS 25956-17-6. School rules cover food served or sold to students, not grocery shelves. Legal status only, not health advice.
All dye and additive rules in ArizonaHouse Bill 2164, the Arizona Healthy Schools Act, was approved on April 14, 2025 as chapter 52 of the Laws of 2025 and is codified at section 15-242.01 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. From the 2026-2027 school year, a school that takes part in a federally funded meal program may not serve, sell or let a third party sell on campus during the normal school day any "ultraprocessed food", which the law defines as food containing potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3 or Red 40. Parents remain free to provide their own children's food. The definition is narrower than the everyday sense of the term: a highly processed product with none of those eleven ingredients is not covered. Arizona is the only state among the school laws here that names titanium dioxide and BVO together with the dyes.
How long until a state rule starts?
Arizona, HB 2164 (2025) (school food)
Already in effect
| Starts | the 2026-2027 school year |
| Covers | 11 dyes or additives |
| Status today | In effect |
Laws and FDA orders read by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
Titanium dioxide and BVO
Including titanium dioxide matters more than it may seem: it is common in candy coatings and frosting, so a school snack without any of the certified dyes could still fall within the rule. BVO, on the other hand, has been off the market nationwide since the FDA compliance date of August 2, 2025, so its place on the list confirms the federal ban rather than adding to it.
The rule has applied since the start of the current school year.
Arizona rules on dyes and additives
| Law | Scope | Substances | From | Status today | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 2164 (2025) | school food | Potassium bromate, Propylparaben, Titanium dioxide, BVO, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3 and Red 40 | the 2026-2027 school year | In effect | not stated |
Each tracked substance in Arizona
| Substance | FDA | All food sold | School food | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Red 3 | FDA ban ordered, not yet in effect | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Yellow 5 | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Yellow 6 | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Blue 1 | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Blue 2 | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Green 3 | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Citrus Red 2 | Still allowed; FDA proposed a ban | no | no | no |
| Orange B | Banned nationwide by FDA | no | no | no |
| BVO | Banned nationwide by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Potassium bromate | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Propylparaben | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| Titanium dioxide | Allowed by FDA | no | In effect (the 2026-2027 school year) | no |
| BHA | Allowed by FDA | no | no | no |