La Bill Bans Artificial Ingredients in School Lunches

By: D. D. Reese

Louisiana lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 14, authored by Sen. Patrick McMath (R‑Covington), which prohibits a long list of artificial ingredients from meals served in public schools, and some private schools receiving state funding. The measure now awaits Governor Jeff Landry’s signature.

Which Ingredients Are Banned?

The bill bans eleven additives commonly used to enhance flavor, texture, or appearance in school meals, including:

• Artificial food dyes: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6
• Preservatives and chemicals: Azodicarbonamide, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), potassium bromate, propylparaben
• Artificial sweeteners: Acesulfame potassium and sucralose 

Added Transparency Measures

Beyond outright bans, SB 14 requires schools and food producers to disclose detailed ingredient information, especially for products containing the banned or scrutinized additives. The disclosure list includes:

• Bleached or bromated flour
• Interesterified oils (palm, soybean)
• Partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats)
• Other additives like canthaxanthin, morpholine, diacetyl, and sucralose 

Local Procurement Mandate

The bill also mandates that schools, "to the extent practicable," purchase Louisiana-made food products, aiming to support local agriculture and reduce reliance on out‑of‑state ingredients. Restaurants and food services that utilize seed oils, such as canola, corn, soybean, cottonseed, grapeseed, rice bran, safflower, and sunflower oil, must clearly disclose their usage to customers.

Implementation Timeline and Context

SB 14 passed the House and Senate unanimously. Its provisions are part of the broader “Make America Healthy Again” movement, aiming to curb processed food additives and improve nutrition. The bill's requirements are phased in over time: ingredient bans take effect in the 2028–29 school year, while other measures have deadlines such as January 1, 2028.

Governor Landry now has the option to sign SB 14 into law. Once enacted, schools must update meal contracts and menus to comply. Food manufacturers and school districts are expected to begin adjusting suppliers, labels, and ingredient sourcing. Advocates of nutrition reform view SB 14 as a landmark move toward healthier school meals, while critics may raise concerns about cost, supply chains, and administrative burdens.