To: District Principals and Site Administrators
From: School Leadership and Support
Date: September 18, 2026
This memo outlines new state requirements that take effect for the 2026–2027 school year restricting certain food additives in foods sold, donated, offered, or served on school grounds during the school day. Please review this guidance carefully and share it with relevant staff, including food service, front office, and classroom teachers who coordinate food-related activities.
A family-facing flier summarizing this law has also been distributed and is attached for your reference. Families have been directed to contact their school principal with questions, so please ensure your office is prepared to respond.
Summary of the Law
Beginning this school year, Utah public schools may not sell, donate, offer, or serve foods containing certain additives on school grounds during the school day. This requirement applies to school meals and any other food offered by the school, and it stems from Utah Code 53G-9-205.2 (HB 402, 2025 General Session).
Restricted Additives
The law restricts the following additives in food sold, donated, offered, or served on school grounds during the school day:
- Potassium bromate
- Propylparaben
- FD&C Blue No. 1 and No. 2
- FD&C Green No. 3
- FD&C Red No. 3 and No. 40
- FD&C Yellow No. 5 and No. 6
When the Restrictions Do Not Apply
The restrictions do not apply in the following circumstances:
- Food provided by a student's parent during the school day, for that student
- Food provided by a teacher, provided parent permission was obtained at the start of the semester
- Food sold in a vending machine
- Concession items sold at a school-sponsored event or extracurricular activity
Administrator Responsibilities
To ensure your school is compliant and prepared to support families, please take the following steps:
1. Obtain parent permission before offering restricted foods.
If your school plans to offer food containing one of the listed additives, parent permission must be obtained at the start of the semester before that food is served. Have a permission form process in place and ready to provide to families upon request.
2. Confirm compliance for all school-provided food.
School meals and any other food offered by the school during the school day must meet the new requirements. Coordinate with food service staff and any teachers or clubs that provide food to students to confirm ingredient compliance.
3. Review procedures for classroom and group food.
Staff, parent volunteers, or community members planning to provide food for a class or group should contact the school in advance to confirm procedures. Establish a simple point of contact so this is easy for families and staff to follow.
4. Ensure alignment with wellness policy.
All food must comply with G-3: Administrative Procedures – Wellness, in addition to this new law. Review your current wellness policy practices for consistency.
5. Prepare your office to field family questions.
The family flier directs questions to school principals. Make sure front-office staff are familiar with this guidance and know how to route questions appropriately.
6. Distribute the attached family flier.
Share the attached flier with families through your usual communication channels (newsletter, school website, or direct distribution) as soon as possible.
Questions
If you have questions about implementation at your school, please contact your Area Director.
Attachment: Utah's New Food Law — A Quick Guide for Families
