Public K-12 Schools; prohibited from selling, allowing the sale of, or providing food items containing certain additives, subject to exceptions

HB 491 bans Alabama public K-12 schools from selling, serving, or permitting the sale of food containing seven specific dyes (Red Dye 3, Red Dye 40, Yellow Dye 5, Yellow Dye 6, Blue Dye 1, Blue Dye 2, and Green Dye 3) in school meals or on school premises. Schools may still sell these foods during fundraising events held off-campus or after school hours (at least 30 minutes past the end of the school day). The law, effective August 1, 2025, directly affects school food providers and students consuming school-provided meals. It does not ban all additives, only the listed dyes, with clear exceptions for certain fundraising activities.