This bill amends the West Virginia Code to enhance the safety and nutritional standards of school nutrition programs. It prohibits the use of certain food additives deemed unsafe, including various artificial dyes and preservatives, effective August 1, 2025, and expands this list to include additional additives such as titanium dioxide and aspartame, effective August 1, 2027. Furthermore, the bill establishes new requirements for school nutrition programs, including limiting added sugars to no more than five percent of daily calories, ensuring a minimum fiber-to-carbohydrate ratio, and mandating that schools post their breakfast and lunch menus along with ingredient lists on their websites.

Additionally, the bill allows for exceptions where schools may sell non-compliant food items during fundraising events, provided these sales occur off school premises or at least half an hour after the school day ends. The intent of this legislation is to promote healthier eating habits among students by regulating the ingredients in school meals and increasing transparency regarding food content.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5D-3a