H.B. No. 1290 aims to prohibit certain food additives in free or reduced-price meals provided by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas. The bill introduces a new section, 33.9011, to the Education Code, which defines the "national school breakfast program" and "national school lunch program." It specifically prohibits the inclusion of food containing brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), red dye 3, and titanium dioxide in meals served under these programs.

The provisions of this bill will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, applying only to contracts for food services that are entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025. The bill is designed to enhance the nutritional quality of meals provided to students, ensuring that harmful additives are not included in the food served to those eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

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