A 2050 — Prohibits certain substances in sale, distribution, and manufacture of commercial foods for human consumption; bans certain substances in school food.*

A2050 1R [First Reprint] ASSEMBLY, No.

HAIDER District 37 (Bergen) Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)  Assemblyman   RAVI  S.   SYNOPSIS      Prohibits certain substances in sale, distribution, and manufacture of commercial foods for human consumption.

BHALLA District 32 (Hudson)   CURRENT  VERSION  OF  TEXTSYNOPSIS           IntroducedProhibits Pendingcertain Technicalsubstances Reviewin bysale, Legislativedistribution, Counsel.and manufacture of commercial foods for human consumption;

  bans An Act prohibiting certain substances in theschool sale,food. distribution, and manufacture of commercial foods for human consumption and amending R.S.24:5-8.

  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      As reported by the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee on March 16, 2026, with amendments.

   An Act prohibiting certain substances in the sale, distribution, and manufacture of commercial foods for human consumption 1, prohibiting certain artificial dyes in school food,1 and amending R.S.24:5-8 1and P.L.2007, c.451.

        1. 1.   R.S.R.S.24:5-8 is amended to read as follows:

24:5-8 is amended to read as follows:

     E.  If [it] the food contains any of these substances:

     (1) brominated1[brominated] Brominated1 vegetable oil (CAS no.

     (2) potassium1[potassium] Potassium1 bromate (CAS no.7758-01-2);

     (3) propylparaben1[propylparaben] Propylparaben1 (CAS no.94-13-3);

or      (4) red1[red] Red1 dye 3 (CAS no.

P.L.1989, c.203, s.1)             2.   12.  ThisSection act shall take effect on the first day of theP.L.2007, 13thc.45 month(C.18A:33-16) nextis followingamended enactment,to exceptread that the Commissioner of Health may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shallfollows: be necessary for the implementation of this act.

       2.    STATEMENTa.   [As      of ThisSeptember bill2007, addsthe] fourThe substancesfollowing toitems theshall generalnot prohibitionbe served, sold, or given away as a free promotion anywhere on adulteratedschool commercialproperty foodat forany humantime consumption.before the end of the school day, including items served in the reimbursable After School Snack Program:

     It(1)   isFoods unlawfulof forminimal anynutritional entityvalue, inas thisdefined Stateby to distribute, sell, manufacture for sale or distribution, or possess with intent to sell or distribute, any adulterated food.  Each violation of the StateUnited SanitaryStates CodeDepartment constitutes a separate offense and is punishable by a penalty of notAgriculture; less than $50 and not more than $1,000.

     This(2)   billAll addsfood brominatedand vegetablebeverage oil,items potassiumlisting bromate,sugar, propylparaben,in andany redform, dyeas 3 to the conditionsfirst thatingredient; deem food for human consumption adulterated

[and]      (3)   All forms of candy as defined by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture;

and      (4)   The following substances:

     (a) Red 40 (CAS no.

25956-17-6);

     (b) Yellow 5 (CAS no.

1934-21-0);

     (c) Yellow 6 (CAS no.

2783-94-0);

     (d) Blue 1 (CAS no.

3844-45-9);

     (e) Blue 2 (CAS no.

860-22-0);

and      (f) Green 3 (CAS no.

2353-45-9).

     b.    Schools shall reduce the purchase of any products containing trans fats beginning September 1, 2007.

     c.     As of September 2007, all snack and beverage items, sold or served anywhere on school property during the school day, including items sold in a la carte lines, vending machines, snack bars, school stores and fundraisers, or served in the reimbursable After School Snack Program, shall meet the following standards:

     (1)   Based on manufacturers' nutritional data or nutrient facts labels, no more than eight grams of total fat per serving, with the exception of nuts and seeds, and no more than two grams of saturated fat per serving;

     (2)   All beverages, other than milk containing two percent or less fat, or water, shall not exceed a 12-ounce portion size;

and whole milk may not exceed an eight-ounce portion;

     (3)   In elementary schools, beverages shall be limited to milk, water or 100 percent fruit or vegetable juices;

     (4)   In middle and high schools, at least 60 percent of all beverages offered, other than milk or water, must be 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice;

and      (5)   In middle and high schools, no more than 40 percent of all ice cream and frozen desserts shall be allowed to exceed the above standards for sugar, fat and saturated fat.

     d.    Food and beverages served during special school celebrations or during curriculum-related activities shall be exempt from the provisions of this section, with the exception of foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture.