Laws
Iowa school food dye and additive law (HF 2676)
Iowa adopted its law in May 2026 under the title Iowa Make America Healthy Again Act. It covers school meals and food sold on campus.
Is this dye or additive banned in your state?
FD&C Red No. 40 in Iowa, November 5, 2026
Out of school food from school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027
| 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 | Enacted, not yet in effect HF 2676 (91st General Assembly), from school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027. |
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 IowaHouse File 2676, titled the Iowa Make America Healthy Again Act, was approved by the governor on May 20, 2026. Its school section, in chapter 283A of the Iowa Code, applies to school districts, charter schools and state-funded nonpublic schools for school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027. From then, breakfast and lunch, food offered by employees or vendors during the school day and food sold on campus during the school day may not contain Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, potassium bromate, propylparaben, Red 40, Yellow 5 or Yellow 6. Red 3 is not on the list, a difference with most other states that the federal order makes mostly theoretical. USDA Foods delivered directly to schools are excluded. The rule does not reach food sold in Iowa stores, and parents may still send food from home.
How long until a state rule starts?
Iowa, HF 2676 (91st General Assembly) (school food)
238 days left
| Starts: school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027 | |
| Covers | 8 dyes or additives |
| Status today | Enacted, not yet in effect |
Laws and FDA orders read by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
The Red 3 gap
Iowa's list leaves out Red 3, but from January 15, 2027, the FDA order removes it from all food nationwide, which includes school food in Iowa before the state rule begins. The practical list in Iowa schools from the 2027-2028 year therefore covers the six certified dyes still listed by the FDA plus the two preservatives.
The school meal comparison shows how Iowa's scope, including staff and vendors, compares with other states.
Iowa rules on dyes and additives
| Law | Scope | Substances | From | Status today | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HF 2676 (91st General Assembly) | school food | Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Potassium bromate, Propylparaben, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 | school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027 | Enacted, not yet in effect | not stated |
Each tracked substance in Iowa
| Substance | FDA | All food sold | School food | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | no |
| Red 3 | FDA ban ordered, not yet in effect | no | no | no |
| Yellow 5 | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | no |
| Yellow 6 | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | no |
| Blue 1 | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | no |
| Blue 2 | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | no |
| Green 3 | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | 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 | no | no |
| Potassium bromate | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | no |
| Propylparaben | Allowed by FDA | no | Enacted, not yet in effect (school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027) | no |
| Titanium dioxide | Allowed by FDA | no | no | no |
| BHA | Allowed by FDA | no | no | no |