Louisiana has enacted a law that significantly impacts food ingredients in schools, restaurants, and retail spaces. Signed by Governor Jeff Landry on June 20, Senate Bill No. 14, now Act No. 463, targets specific sweeteners, oils, and colourings, alongside requiring new labelling practices.
The law restricts public and non-public schools receiving state funding from serving foods containing prohibited ingredients from the 2028-29 school year. The banned ingredients include sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose, as well as various synthetic food colours. In addition, several oils, including soybean, canola, and corn oils, are banned from use in school meals. However, the law does not apply to foods in vending machines or concession stands.
Foodservice establishments preparing food with seed oils will be required to display a clear disclaimer on menus, warning customers of potential ingredients. In retail, product labels must feature a QR code linking to additional ingredient information on the manufacturer’s website, including a disclaimer about certain ingredients.
The law also stipulates that products in retail, including those containing interesterified oils or specific sweeteners and colours, must include detailed labelling regarding potentially harmful ingredients. This new regulation follows similar laws passed in other states such as Texas, Arizona, and California, further pushing for transparency and consumer awareness in food products.