MADISON, Wis. (WSAW) – The Wisconsin Senate Committee on Health will hold a public hearing Wednesday to discuss five bills, including one that would limit certain ingredients in free or reduced-price school lunches.
The bill text states:
This bill prohibits school boards and independent charter schools from providing food that contains brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, or red dye 3 to pupils as part of free or reduced-price meals provided under the National School Lunch Program or the federal School Breakfast Program. The bill does not prohibit school boards and independent charter schools from allowing private vendors to serve food containing any of those ingredients on school premises or at school-sponsored activities.
Brominated Vegetable Oil or BVO is a food additive that keeps ingredients from separating. A 1976 study found that consumption of BVO by pigs damaged their hearts, kidneys, livers and testicles. Last summer, the FDA no longer allowed it use, but gave companies 1 year to comply.
Potassium bromate is a controversial ingredient found in some breads. It’s already been banned in Europe.
Propylparaben is a preservative used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food. It can extend a product’s shelf life but there are concerns it disrupts a person’s hormones.
Azodicarbonamide is a whitening agent used in cereal and bread. There is concerns it caused injury to the organs of rats.
The FDA has already issued a ban for red dye 3– a food additive or color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals. Companies have until early 2027 to remove it from food.
Arkansas has already introduced a similar ban. Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act, would prohibit the use of potassium bromate, propylparaben, and erythrosine in foods.
The bill was introduced in April by Republican Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara of Appleton.
The committee meeting will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. It will be streamed live on WisEye.
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