NUTRITION: Prohibits the serving and selling of ultra-processed foods in public schools. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

The prohibition on ultra-processed foods now applies only to public schools participating in federally funded or assisted meal programs, removing the requirement for nonpublic schools to comply.

The effective date for full compliance was moved forward from the 2027-2028 school year to the 2026-2027 school year.

The requirement for schools to purchase food produced in Louisiana was removed from the bill.

The exemption for food served in concession stands and vending machines was removed, meaning the ban now applies to all food sold on campus.

The definition of ultra-processed food was updated to remove references to nonpublic schools and third-party food management companies from the prohibited list context.

The requirement for the Department of Education to post a list of nonpublic schools that have certified compliance was removed, as nonpublic schools are no longer subject to the ban.

Added Representatives Amedee, Edmonston, and Taylor to the list of bill sponsors.

Added a new requirement that schools must purchase a minimum of 20% of their food from Louisiana producers.

Added a provision allowing schools to begin implementing the ultra-processed food ban prior to the 2027-2028 school year, with full compliance mandatory starting that year.

Explicitly included nonpublic schools receiving state or federal funding in the prohibition on serving ultra-processed foods.

Reorganized the bill structure to separate the ultra-processed food ban (Subsection B) from the local food purchasing requirement (Subsection E) and added a new Subsection F for the concession stand exception.