Unified Police have been called to Holladay businesses after large groups of Olympus Junior High students gathered on Friday early-release afternoons. Principal Mike Douglas alerted families to the situation in an Aug. 28 message.

Douglas said the school received concerns from local businesses, including Harmons, about students congregating inside and around stores for extended periods and, in some cases, refusing to leave when asked.

"Unfortunately, the situation has become disruptive enough that Unified Police have been called to help students leave and head home," Douglas wrote.

The Harmons Holladay Market at 4675 S. Holladay Blvd. sits in the same 84117 zip code as the Granite District school, which enrolls 807 students in grades 5 through 9. No public statement from Unified Police or Harmons about the gatherings was available. Douglas asked parents to make sure their children have a plan for Friday afternoons and to talk with them about respecting local businesses.

Food dye ban takes effect

Douglas's message also confirmed that Granite School District cafeterias already comply with Utah House Bill 402. The law bans nine synthetic food dyes and additives from public school meals starting with the 2026-27 school year.

The district is already in compliance.

The banned substances include Red 3, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, potassium bromate and propylparaben, according to the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Utah is one of eight states that enacted school food additive restrictions in 2025.

The law covers more than cafeteria trays. Birthday treats, holiday snacks, classroom rewards and food pantry items all fall under HB 402. Exceptions include food brought by a parent for their own child, food a teacher provides with parental permission, vending machine items and concession sales at school events.

Parents who want to ensure their child does not receive any food containing the banned additives at school can fill out an opt-out form through the school. Unless a parent opts out, students may still receive candy or snacks offered as classroom incentives.

Parent-teacher conferences at Olympus Junior High are scheduled for Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m.