(Feb. 5, 2026) – Today, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 390, which prohibits certain additives in food served by schools in specific school food service programs and requires schools to certify that their facilities do not serve food containing those additives. Conferees were:

Proponents:

• Sen. Kenny Titus (R-Manhattan) emphasized that this isn't about concessions stands. It's just the main meals. He suggested this aligns with "Make America Healthy Again."
• Rep. Kevin Schwertfeger (R-Turon) highlighted his daughter's reaction and noted that some pharmaceuticals also contain Red 40 dye.
• Claudia Elkins, a private citizen, also suggested adding more dyes and all additives to the bill.
• Many written testimonies from proponents were submitted.

Opponents:

• John Donnelly of the Kansas Pork Association testified that BPA is an important preservative for the pork industry and said that, if it were removed, they would be neutral on the bill.

Neutral:

• Randy Stookey of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association emphasized the testimony of John Donnelly and asked for pulling the BHA piece.
• The Kansas Association of School Boards suggested this is an unfunded mandate, that it could conflict with federal law and that there may need to be clarifying language on the certification.