Oklahoma leaders renew push to ban food dyes in state-funded meals

State leaders are reviving efforts to eliminate certain food dyes from Oklahoma’s meals and schools after a series of related bills failed to gain traction earlier this year.

Governor Kevin Stitt, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced that he is directing state agencies to remove harmful synthetic dyes from state-funded meals. The move is part of Stitt’s broader Make Oklahoma Healthy Again initiative, aimed at improving public health through dietary changes.

“I think there’s certainly a movement across the country to look at what’s happening with health,” Stitt said. “With [Kennedy’s] leadership, we want to make sure Oklahoma is leading the way.”

Sen. Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond), who authored the food dye legislation this session, said she plans to revisit the issue in the coming months. Thompson says she will meet with health experts this summer to further study the effects of certain dyes, and then introduce updated legislation during the next session.

>> Oklahoma Lawmakers to discuss food dye ban Monday in Senate Bill 4 hearing