Louisiana Lawmakers Debate Groundbreaking Ban on Ultra-Processed Foods in Schools: What It Means for Students’ Health

NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana is taking a closer look at "ultra-processed" foods, especially in schools.

Sen. Blake Miguez, representing New Iberia, introduced Senate Bill 117. This bill aims to tackle childhood obesity by banning these processed foods in public schools. It has already passed the Senate and recently went before the House Education Committee.

Miguez links this effort to a broader health movement led by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claims that highly processed foods contribute to various health issues. Some committee members are enthusiastic about the proposal. For example, Rep. Elaine Taylor, a Democrat from LaPlace, expressed her support and interest in becoming a co-author of the bill.

However, the bill has some exceptions. Miguez clarified that it wouldn’t ban snacks from vending machines or foods that parents send with their children. Events like tailgating and after-school parties are also exempt.

While some lawmakers support the bill, others have raised concerns. Rep. Barbara Frieberg, a Republican from Baton Rouge, suggested that the bill might be too hasty, especially since there’s a call for further study on the matter.

Supporters responded to this skepticism. Brian Sicma from the Make America Healthy Initiative argued that similar measures have been discussed in various settings before.

The bill was modified to limit the banned items, reducing the list of prohibited seed oils from four to one. Rep. Kim Carver from Mandeville pushed to keep brominated vegetable oil on the banned list.

Amidst the debate, Dr. Jacqueline Richard, a nutritionist with the School Nutrition Association in Louisiana, voiced her opposition to the bill. She emphasized the importance of school meals, citing a study from 2019 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. That research found that kids who eat breakfast and lunch at school consume healthier diets than their peers who don’t.

Additionally, lawmakers noted that charter schools often work with outside food providers. The amended bill now prevents these third-party companies from serving ultra-processed foods in schools.

As the discussion continues, the balance between healthy eating and practical food options remains a hot topic in Louisiana.

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