When Holladay students line up for lunch at Olympus and Skyline high schools on Wednesday, Aug. 12, the Doritos will be gone.

Utah's House Bill 402, signed May 7, 2025, bans nine synthetic dyes and additives from food sold or served in public schools during the school day. The law takes effect for the first time this school year, and Granite School District says it already finished the work.

"Last year, we did a thorough investigation of all our menus. There wasn't much that we needed to change, which was a big win," Buffy Swensen, Granite School District's nutrition services director, told Fox 13 on Aug. 6.

Doritos were among the items pulled because they contain FD&C Blue No. 1. The full banned list includes Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, potassium bromate and propylparaben.

The law covers breakfast and lunch. Teachers must also get parental permission before handing out classroom snacks that contain any of the nine additives.

Canyons District adopts same policy for Brighton High families

Cottonwood Heights families will see the same changes when Canyons School District opens on Aug. 17. The Canyons Board of Education unanimously approved Policy 300.03 School Wellness at its June 16 meeting, implementing HB 402's additive ban for the 2026-27 year. Board member Amanda Oaks moved the policy; Karen Pedersen seconded it.

Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen told the board at the June 16 meeting that the policy prohibits the same nine additives in any food sold, donated, offered or served in schools. Exceptions exist: parents may still pack food containing the banned additives for their own children, and schools may sell such items from vending machines or concession stands at extracurricular events.

What parents should know

Swensen said the district has also reduced sodium, saturated fat and sugar in its meals over the years and no longer uses fryers in schools. Emily Stembridge, the parent who pushed HB 402 to state lawmakers, said the change affected a small fraction of menu items.

Utah is one of at least seven states that have passed similar school food-additive restrictions, joining West Virginia, Louisiana, Arizona, California, Virginia and Texas.

Granite School District's next public meeting is a tax hearing on Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. in the district board room. Canyons District's first day of school is Aug. 17.