Nebraska advances bill to bar several artificial food dyes from school meals, delays effect date
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Summary
Legislators advanced LB940, which would prohibit specified petroleum-based artificial food dyes in school-provided meals. Sponsor Senator Merman explained the list mirrors dyes targeted by federal agencies; the body adopted an amendment to delay the effective date by one year to allow existing food supplies to be used.
The Nebraska Legislature advanced LB940 to E & R initial on a voice vote after senators adopted an amendment to delay its effective date.
Senator Merman, sponsor of LB940, said the bill would prohibit a specified list of petroleum-based artificial dyes—Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6—from being used in meals provided by schools. He said the list aligns with chemicals the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration have identified for eventual elimination from the food supply.
"Several states have already passed identical legislation and it is a growing movement," Merman said, urging senators to support the measure. He emphasized the bill applies only to school cafeteria breakfasts and lunches.
Floor debate included a short exchange when a senator briefly referenced a different bill; the presiding officer and members clarified the matter. Senators then adopted AM18-17, an amendment that pushes the bill's effective date back one year at the Department of Health and Human Services' recommendation so that any already-purchased school food would not be wasted. The clerk recorded adoption of the amendment as "32 ayes, no nays." The bill then advanced to E & R initial (the transcript records 36 ayes, no nays on advancement).
The measure now proceeds to select-file consideration where additional amendments or fiscal notes could be added. Proponents said the change aims to reduce exposure to dyes linked in some studies to behavioral effects in children; opponents did not mount extended floor opposition in the transcript record.
