INDIANAPOLIS – On Jan. 22, the Indiana House passed a bill, introduced by Indiana Rep. Julie McGuire (R-District 93), to protect school children in the state from harmful food chemicals.
If enacted, HB 1137 would ban Indiana public schools from serving food containing thirteen additives: azodicarbonamide, butylated hydroxytoluene, potassium bromate, propyl paraben, tert-butylhydroquinone, titanium dioxide, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue 2, Green Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 3, Red 40, Yellow Dye No. 5 or Yellow 6.
All 13 chemicals listed in the bill are linked to health harms, such as neurobehavioral problems in some children, harm to the reproductive and hormone system and even cancer.
The Environmental Working Group is supporting HB 1137. The bill also has backing from Moms Across America, End Chronic Disease, Unleaded Kids, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Consumer Reports, Consumer Federation of America, Center for Environmental Health, Eat Real, Chef Ann Foundation and Food Fight USA.
The following is a statement from Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs:
Chemicals that can harm children’s health or make it harder for them to learn have no place in food.
For decades, the Food and Drug Administration has failed to keep us safe from toxic food chemicals. In the absence of federal leadership, it’s up to states like Indiana to keep us safe from dangerous chemicals, especially in foods offered in schools.
Nearly all school foods are already free of these chemicals, and food companies have repeatedly shown they can reformulate quickly when required. HB 1137 is a commonsense step to make school meals safer for children.
Faber testified on Jan. 7 in support of HB 1137 in front of the Indiana House Committee on Education.
The legislation is the most recent in a series of state-led efforts to regulate harmful food chemicals. In 2025, eight states passed laws banning or restricting use of various food chemicals in public schools, or statewide, including Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.
The bill will next be heard by the Indiana Senate.
First created January 7, 2026.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
