Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) recently announced an initiative to remove ultra-processed food, artificial dyes, and harmful additives out of school meals, as well as test water at school and at home to improve children's health.
The initiative, known as Healthy Florida Healthy Families, aims to remove ultra-processed foods and additives from school meals and close loopholes on soda and candy on school grounds, as well as mandate school districts post menus and ingredients online for more nutritional transparency.
While Florida follows USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] meal guidelines, the state does not limit ultra-processed ingredients or dyes, and loopholes remain on popular "junk foods" in vending machines on school campuses. The state also does not have a mandatory lead or containment law for schools, instead making it voluntary, giving school districts the option to opt out, according to Donalds' release.
“When a kid sits down in a cafeteria, parents want to know what’s on that tray. When they fill a cup at the fountain, we want to know what’s in that water,” Donalds said through a campaign release. “Florida doesn’t have to wait on Washington to catch up. We already grow the food and we already have the farmers ready to supply it. This isn’t radical, it’s what every parent expects at their own kitchen table, and it’s what Florida is going to deliver to every Florida student.”
In addition, Rep. Donalds' plan will build upon the state's Farm to School program, which connects Florida farmers to school lunchrooms to better appropriate healthier food selections for children.
The plan will also require testing for lead and contaminants in water, post results, and fix possible dangerous levels. Moreover, Rep. Donalds' initiative will offer free or subsidized testing and remediation for families of young children with private wells in accordance with the EPA's [Environmental Protection Agency] Sixth Contaminant Candidate List, which designates microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority containments alongside per-and polyfluoroalykl substances (PFAS).
