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Senate committee advances bill to remove Red 40 dye from public school meals after contested hearing
Summary
Lawmakers heard hours of testimony for and against a bill that would prohibit red dye 40 in foods sold or provided in public schools; experts and parents described behavioral effects, while the beverage industry warned of supply and regulatory disruption. The committee advanced the bill to the calendar, 5-4.
The Senate Education Committee voted to advance legislation aimed at restricting Red 40, a synthetic food dye, from foods and beverages served in Tennessee public schools.
Sen. Sandra Bolling, sponsor of Senate Bill 4-76, framed the bill as a child-health measure: she pointed to findings from the European Union and reviews by health agencies that link synthetic food dyes to increased hyperactivity and attention problems in some children. "If we claim to care about education and test scores ... we must take simple actions, and moving Red 40 from our school meals is a simple…
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