Starting August 1st, West Virginia has officially become the first state in the U.S. to implement a sweeping ban on seven synthetic food dyes in school meals. This ban is part of House Bill 2354, signed into law earlier this year by Governor Patrick Morrisey.
Dyes Banned in Schools
The law targets: Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3.
These dyes are believed to be linked to behavioral issues and long-term health concerns. A 2021 review by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found connections between increased hyperactivity in some kids and dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5.
Impact on School Meals
The ban has led to major changes in school menus:
- Jell-O cups, flavored yogurts, and Cool Ranch Doritos have been completely removed from schools.
- Strawberry milk will now use beet juice to provide a pink coloring.
- Common cereals like Trix and Fruit Loops will be removed from school menus unless brands reformulated to comply.
- Walking tacos are temporarily off the menu due to dye-containing chips.
Nutrition directors across all 55 counties had only four months to adjust procurement and ensure compliance. Despite the narrow timeline, county officials are confident that students will be able to receive nutritious and dye-free meals.
Future
The school ban is just the start for West Virginia’s anti-food dye initiative. The state plans to extend the ban to all retail food products by 2028.