This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

§ 22.1-207.4:3 (Effective July 1, 2027) Nutritional standards for school meals and other foods; certain color additives prohibited

A. As used in this section: “Color additive” means any material not exempted pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 321(t)(1) that is a dye, pigment, or other substance made by a process of synthesis or similar artifice, or extracted, isolated, or otherwise derived, with or without intermediate or final change of identity, from a vegetable, animal, mineral, or other source and that when added or applied to a food, drug, or cosmetic, or to the human body or any part thereof, is capable of imparting color thereto.

“Competitive food” means the same as that term is defined in § 22.1-207.4.

B. No public elementary or secondary school shall offer or make available to any student any food served as a part of a school meal or any competitive food that contains any of the following color additives:

1. FD&C Blue No. 1 (CAS Reg. No. 3844-45-9);

2. FD&C Blue No. 2 (CAS Reg. No. 860-22-0);

3. FD&C Green No. 3 (CAS Reg. No. 2353-45-9);

4. FD&C Red No. 3 (CAS Reg. No. 16423-68-0);

5. FD&C Red No. 40 (CAS Reg. No. 25956-17-6);

6. FD&C Yellow No. 5 (CAS Reg. No. 1934-21-0); or

7. FD&C Yellow No. 6 (CAS Reg. No. 2783-94-0).

C. The Board shall amend its nutritional guidelines for competitive foods promulgated pursuant to § 22.1-207.4 in accordance with the provisions of this section.

History

This law was first created in 2025. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 212 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.

2025, c. 212, 222.

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