STATEHOUSE (Jan. 23, 2026) – State Rep. Julie McGuire’s (R-Indianapolis) legislation to reduce children’s exposure to harmful chemicals in school meals and increase transparency of ingredients in their menus passed the Indiana House of Representatives.
Studies have shown that consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to a range of health issues, including Type 2 diabetes, hormonal disruption and obesity. For many students, school meals are nearly half of the daily calories they consume.
“Ultra-processed foods are consistently linked to chronic disease,” McGuire said. “We now see children diagnosed with conditions that used to be almost exclusive to adults that often follow them for the rest of their lives.”
Through House Bill 1137, public schools that participate in federally funded or assisted meal programs would remove a narrow list of harmful chemical additives from their lunches and post menus and ingredient lists online to support added transparency, data collection and evaluation. It would not apply to school lunches provided by parents or food sold at school fundraisers outside of school hours and at weekend events on school grounds.
“Many of these ingredients are already banned in other states and countries,” McGuire said. “They have well-documented health risks and no nutritional value. Because school meals play such a large role in our children’s daily nutrition, improving their quality is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways we can protect their long-term health.”
House Bill 1137 now moves to the Senate for consideration. Watch session and committees live, and view legislation atiga.in.gov.
