RFK Jr. and Rob Schneider Team Up with AZ Lawmakers to Fight Toxic Food in Schools

By Matthew Holloway |

In a significant step toward improving student health, the Arizona Senate unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday aimed at banning harmful food dyes and chemicals in school meals. Sponsored by State Representative Leo Biasiucci (R-LD30), HB 2164 gained attention during the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ tour, featuring actor and activist Rob Schneider alongside Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Biasiucci announced the bill’s passage via a post on X, expressing his gratitude for Kennedy’s presence at the Capitol in Phoenix. He emphasized the bill’s importance for Arizona’s children, stating, “It was an honor to have @SecKennedy visit the Arizona Legislature today as my bill to ban toxic food dyes from schools passed 28-0 in the Senate.”

If enacted, the legislation would prohibit on-campus foods identified as harmful. When introducing the bill in February, Biasiucci was joined by Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp (R-LD29) and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. They highlighted that the banned substances include potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, and several artificial coloring agents.

“Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their lunches,” Biasiucci asserted. “This bill puts the health of Arizona’s children first, plain and simple.”

Following the Senate vote, Schneider praised the bipartisan support for the legislation: “Thank YOU to ALL the legislators in Arizona on BOTH sides of the aisle for putting the HEALTH of CHILDREN before partisan politics…”

Biasiucci further acknowledged the collaboration among lawmakers: “This is not partisan, this is people. It really is a testament to this great state that we can get together and do something that is 100% positive for everyone.” He pointed out the importance of nutritious meals, especially when many children rely on school food as their primary source of sustenance.

During his remarks, Kennedy noted a growing grassroots movement against harmful food practices, declaring, “We are not going to be mass poisoned.” Biasiucci underscored the necessity of compromise in legislative language, emphasizing the urgency of enacting positive change while paving the way for future discussions.

Kennedy shared a similar sentiment, stating, “Believe me, I would like to solve the entire processed food problem, but we’re not going to do that overnight. We’re going to do it in the next four years.”

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.