Prohibits certain substances in sale, distribution, and manufacture of commercial foods for human consumption; bans certain substances in school food.*
What changed between versions
A new Section 2 was added that amends P.L.2007, c.45 (C.18A:33-16), expanding the bill's scope from general commercial food safety to also regulate what can be served or sold on school property before the end of the school day.
Schools are prohibited from serving, selling, or giving away foods of minimal nutritional value (as defined by USDA), any food or beverage listing sugar in any form as the first ingredient, and all forms of candy as defined by the NJ Department of Agriculture on school property before the end of the school day.
Six artificial dyes are banned in school food: Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 (identified by CAS numbers).
Schools must reduce purchases of products containing trans fats. All snack and beverage items on school property during the school day must meet specific nutritional standards: no more than 8 grams total fat per serving (except nuts/seeds), no more than 2 grams saturated fat per serving, beverages limited to 12 ounces (whole milk to 8 ounces), elementary school beverages limited to milk, water, or 100 percent fruit/vegetable juice, and middle/high schools must offer at least 60 percent 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice among non-milk/water beverages.
Exemptions are provided for: special school celebrations and curriculum-related activities (except foods of minimal nutritional value), medically authorized special needs diets, school nurses using such foods during health care, and students whose Individual Education Plan specifies a particular diet.
The effective date was split: Section 1 (commercial food substance prohibitions) takes effect on the first day of the thirteenth month following enactment, while Section 2 (school food provisions) takes effect on August 1, 2028. The Commissioner of Education is given authority to take anticipatory administrative action for Section 2.
Assemblyman Ravi S. Bhalla (District 32, Hudson) was added as a co-sponsor, and the bill status changed from 'Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel' to 'As reported by the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee on March 16, 2026, with amendments.'
