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SB 577 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Ban on artificial dyes in school meals

AI-generated

(New Title) prohibiting the use and recommending avoidance of specific color additives in meals offered or made available by public schools as a part of school breakfast and lunch meal programs.

Prohibits certain red, citrus red, and orange color additives in public school breakfast and lunch meals, encourages avoidance of other additives, and exempts foods offered outside meal programs.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits certain blue, red, citrus red, yellow, green, and orange color additives from being used in meals offered or made available by public schools.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDPrimeMinority Leader
  • Rep. Carry SpierDDeputy Ranking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Anita BurroughsDRanking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Also: Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

18 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

83% support17% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I think this will be a very hard to make happen but students are eating way to much sugar which is creating the increased behaviors in schools.”
— Jillian Godbout, Hooksettsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-209:15 amSenate EducationSL Map RoomPublic hearing
  • 2026-03-2510:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0410:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
  2. Jan 13, 2026Sen==CANCELLED== Hearing: 01/13/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:45 am; SC 45
  3. Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Map Room, SL, 10:00 am; SC 46
  4. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 6
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 5 P. 127
  7. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  8. May 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/04/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  9. May 4, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1778h (NT) 05/04/2026 (Vote 15-2; CC) HC 19 P. 12
  10. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1778h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 17
  11. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1778h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 17
  12. May 21, 2026SenSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  13. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 270; Effective 07/01/2028

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.