Superintendent Horne Champions Legislation to Eliminate Toxic Chemicals from School Meals

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, publicly backed legislation proposed by Rep. Leo Biasiucci aimed at banning harmful foods in schools. Joined by Education Committee Chairman Rep. Matt Gress and Sen. Janae Shamp, the bill was introduced to address the health impacts of certain food ingredients.

Known as HB 2164, the proposed law seeks to prohibit Arizona schools from serving foods that contain harmful substances as identified by scientific research. Specific ingredients include potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, and various artificial dyes. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) announced this initiative on Tuesday.

Biasiucci emphasized, “Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their lunches. This bill puts the health of Arizona’s children first, plain and simple.” He advocates for nutritious, minimally processed meals instead of the heavily processed options currently available.

Horne expressed concern about the food standards in the U.S. compared to other developed nations, noting that about 10,000 ingredients are allowed in American food as opposed to roughly 400 in Europe. He stated, “Synthetic food dyes are associated with behavioral issues which then affect a child’s ability to perform academically.”

The ADE has implemented programs like ‘Try it Local,’ encouraging schools to purchase locally sourced food. Horne recalled his previous efforts to remove sugary sodas from schools in 2006, asserting, “This is a familiar crusade for me.” He urged quick passage of the bill, expecting the governor’s support.

The initiative has garnered support from various figures, including actor Rob Schneider, who criticized the current food lobby. Schneider stated, “We can no longer allow school lunches to be junk foods filled with toxic chemicals. Our kids deserve better!” He echoed calls for healthier food options in school lunch programs.

Senator Shamp, a registered nurse with a strong background in health sciences, also backed the bill. She remarked, “What we feed our kids matters. Schools shouldn’t be serving ultra-processed, chemically engineered, junk food.” Shamp is enthusiastic about launching the Make America Healthy Caucus to advocate for significant changes in children’s health.

With growing support from both educators and health advocates, the legislation aims to reshape the nutritional landscape within Arizona’s schools.

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.