Tennessee Bill Aims to Ban Red 40 from School Meals Amid Health Concerns

A proposed law in Tennessee is gaining traction that would restrict the presence of the artificial dye Red 40 in foods and drinks provided through school meal programs.

Introduced by Representative Elaine Davis of Knoxville and Senator Janice Bowling of Tullahoma, the bill would ban the use of Allura Red AC—commonly referred to as Red 40—in any food or beverage distributed through public school nutrition programs, including those in charter schools or by authorized third-party providers.

The measure does not cover all food sold on school grounds. Items sold at vending machines, school fundraisers, or concession stands would still be allowed to contain the dye under the proposed legislation.

Rep. Davis, speaking before a House subcommittee in March, said Red 40 is not a benign additive, but a synthetic substance derived from petroleum. She pointed to studies suggesting potential links between the dye and behavioral concerns in children, including attention issues and increased hyperactivity.

The bill comes shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration moved to ban Red No. 3 in consumable products due to evidence it may cause cancer in male rats—though the FDA noted that the cancer mechanism found in animals does not occur in humans.

The bill cleared the full House on Monday, according to the state legislature’s website, and will now move forward in the legislative process.