The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance the safety and nutritional standards of public 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. The bill also sets limits on the percentage of daily calories that can come from added sugars, gradually reducing the allowance from 10% in 2027 to 5% by 2029. Furthermore, schools are required to post their breakfast and lunch menus online, including ingredient lists, starting in 2027.

Additionally, the bill allows for waivers from the additive restrictions under specific circumstances, such as when a school cannot find compliant products at a reasonable price. To obtain a waiver, schools must document their purchasing efforts and submit this information to the Department of Education for validation. The Department is also tasked with submitting an annual report starting July 1, 2028, detailing the number of waivers requested, granted, and denied. The bill aims to improve the nutritional quality of meals served in schools while providing flexibility for schools facing procurement challenges.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5D-3a
Committee Substitute: 18-5D-3
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: