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Rep. Priestly introduces student-backed proposal on red dye in foods; committee notes imminent federal action
Summary
Representative Winnie Priestly presented H.260, a proposal seeking limits on red dye 40 and other additives in foods after an eighth-grade class sent testimony; committee members noted a federal ban scheduled to take effect in 2027 and 2028.
Representative Winnie Priestly presented testimony from a constituent eighth-grade student and introduced H.260, a proposal to address food dyes including red dye 40.
Priestly read a letter from student Gracie McKinnon describing a classroom experiment in which celery in red-dyed water wilted compared with undyed controls. “We were wondering if this is what red dye 40 is doing to us,” the letter said.
Priestly said the students asked her to bring the matter to state leaders. She noted California has passed related food-safety legislation and said the children asked if Vermont could act. Several committee members pointed out a federal rule that will ban certain dyes and additives goes into effect in 2027, with a separate implementation for red food dyes in 2028.
Committee members discussed whether Vermont should act before federal implementation. One member said it may be unnecessary this year given the federal timeline but suggested the proposal remain available if federal action changes. The bill sponsor and other members also noted stakeholder interest from public-interest groups (the testimony referenced VPIRG as a stakeholder) and that school cafeteria operators had been consulted on related proposals.
No formal committee action or vote occurred. Priestly and members agreed to monitor federal developments and to keep the issue available for future consideration.
