The proposed "School Food Dye Restriction Act" aims to restrict the use of certain artificial food dyes in foods sold within schools in Rhode Island. The act prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food products containing specific artificial food dyes, including FD&C Blue No. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, and FD&C Yellow No. 5 and 6, starting January 1, 2027.

The act establishes definitions for key terms such as "artificial food dye," "competitive foods," "food product," "school campus," "school day," and "school food service vendor." It applies to all food and beverage sales on school campuses during the school day, including school-served meals, a la carte sales, vending machines, and fundraisers.

To ensure compliance, school food service vendors are required to adhere to these restrictions, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will develop a process to monitor compliance. The act outlines enforcement measures, including civil fines for violations, with penalties escalating for repeated offenses. A restricted receipt account will be created within the Department of Health to manage funds collected from fines, which will be used to support food safety education initiatives.

The Department of Health is tasked with promulgating rules and regulations for compliance and will submit an annual report to the General Assembly on the implementation and effectiveness of the act, beginning January 1, 2028. The report will include information on compliance status of schools and vendors, fines imposed, and any cancelled food service contracts.