Safe School Meals: Banning Toxic Contaminants and Packaging Chemicals
This Act establishes strict food safety standards for meals served in schools, eliminating heavy metals, harmful pesticides, and toxic chemicals from packaging (like PFAS and bisphenols). This ensures children receive healthier meals, as producers and suppliers must obtain a “clean supplier” certification or face penalties. The government will also provide funds to help farmers clean up soil and schools purchase safe serving utensils.
Key points
Pesticide residues in school meals must be non-detectable within 5 years; maximum safe levels for heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury) are also mandated.
Prohibits the use of toxic chemicals (PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols) in food packaging for school meals.
Mandatory certification of food suppliers as “clean suppliers” is introduced, along with penalties (including a 3-year supply ban) for those who fail to meet the new safety standards.
Several common food additives and dyes (e.g., FD&C Red 3, titanium dioxide) are temporarily banned in school meals pending safety reassessment.
Increased funding for schools to cover the higher costs of purchasing safer food and grants for reusable serving equipment.
Expired
Citizen Poll