Louisiana children deserve better than lunches full of artificial dyes, stabilizers, thickeners, and added sugars. It’s time to take action.

In October 2025, California became the first state in the nation to begin phasing out ultraprocessed foods from public school meals. The new law sets a 10-year deadline to remove “ultraprocessed foods of concern” — items shown to increase children’s risk for obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even mental health issues.

If California can lead on this, why can’t Louisiana?

Across the country, kids get up to 62% of their calories from ultraprocessed foods — food with little to no nutritional value, loaded with artificial ingredients. In Louisiana, where childhood obesity rates and diabetes risk are among the highest in the country, that’s not just a bad habit — it’s a health crisis.

We are calling on Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana’s Department of Education, and state legislators to introduce and pass legislation that:

• Follows California’s model by creating a science-based definition of ultraprocessed foods
• Begins a gradual phase-out of those foods from public school meals
  Prioritizes fresh, whole foods without harmful additives or excessive sugar, sodium, and saturated fat
• Protects low-income students and ensures no child goes hungry in the transition
   

California proved that removing ultraprocessed foods doesn’t have to cost more — in fact, some districts saved money by switching to fresh, whole foods. More importantly, kids were eating better, feeling better, and learning better.

This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a parenting issue. It’s a health issue. And it’s a question of what kind of future we want for Louisiana’s kids.

If Texas and West Virginia have already taken steps to ban artificial dyes in school food, then there is no excuse for Louisiana to stay silent. We can either lead — or fall further behind.

Sign this petition to tell Louisiana’s leaders: It’s time to get real about what we feed our kids. Ban ultraprocessed foods from school meals — and protect our children’s health, focus, and future.