What Families Need to Know About the Arizona Healthy Schools Act

Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, Arizona schools participating in federally funded meal programs, including all schools in the Nogales Unified School District, must comply with the Arizona Healthy Schools Act (House Bill 2164). The law is designed to reduce students’ access to certain ultra-processed foods during the regular school day.

What Does the Law Do?

The Arizona Healthy Schools Act prohibits schools from serving, selling, or allowing a third party to sell foods containing certain ingredients during the regular school day. The law defines the “regular school day” as the period from midnight through 30 minutes after the end of the school day.

The law applies to school cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, snack bars, fundraisers held during the school day, and other food provided on campus. It does not apply to food that parents or guardians pack from home for their own child.

The law defines ultra-processed foods as foods containing one or more of the following ingredients:
• Potassium bromate
• Propylparaben
• Titanium dioxide
• Brominated vegetable oil
• Yellow Dye 5 or Yellow Dye 6
• Blue Dye 1 or Blue Dye 2
• Green Dye 3
• Red Dye 3 or Red Dye 40

What This Means for Families

To comply with the new law, the following will not be permitted during the regular school day:
• Shared food during the school day, including food prepared or consumed as part of classroom activities
• Classroom parties and celebrations involving food
• Birthday or holiday treats intended to be shared with other students
• Food used as a reward or incentive
• Students sharing, selling, or distributing food brought from home to classmates
• Visitors, volunteers, or outside organizations dropping off food for students

Parents and guardians may still bring or deliver food for their own child; however, they may not provide food for other students.

What Can Parents Still Do?

Families may continue to pack lunches, snacks, and special foods for their own child.
Parents and guardians may:
• Pack any lunch or snack they choose for their individual child
• Send treats or special foods for their own child to enjoy during the school day
• Provide non-food items to share for birthdays, holidays, and classroom celebrations

Why Is This Change Happening?

The Arizona Healthy Schools Act is intended to support healthier school food environments by limiting students’ exposure to specific food additives during the school day.

Schools across Arizona that are subject to the law must comply beginning with the 2026–27 school year and will certify their compliance with the Arizona Department of Education.

Thank You for Your Partnership

We appreciate your understanding and support as we implement these new state requirements. By working together, we can help ensure our schools remain compliant with state law while continuing to recognize and celebrate students in safe and meaningful ways.

Resources
• The Basics of the Arizona Healthy Schools Act
• Healthy Schools Act Memorandum
• ADE Health & Nutrition Services