"NJ Healthy Schools Act"; prohibits sale and distribution of ultraprocessed foods in schools participating in federally funded or assisted meal programs.

The NJ Healthy Schools Act (S 4560) prohibits schools participating in federally funded or assisted meal programs from serving, selling, or allowing third parties to sell ultraprocessed foods during the school day, effective September 2026. It defines ultraprocessed foods as those containing specific additives like potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, and synthetic dyes (such as FD&C Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1). Schools must certify compliance using a standardized form developed by the New Jersey Department of Education, which will maintain an annual public list of compliant schools. The law does not restrict parents from providing ultraprocessed foods to their children during school hours. This measure aims to limit student access to foods containing certain additives potentially linked to health concerns.