A bill filed in the Arkansas legislature would create the “Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act” if passed. This comes shortly after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a letter to the incoming Trump administration heads of the Health and Agriculture departments, calling for the end of junk food as part of the federal food stamp program.
AR State Senator Breanne Davis (R-Russellville) filed SB9 and AR Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville) co-sponsored the bill.
SB9 would be an Act to create the “Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act; to Prohibit a person or entity from Manufacturing, Selling, Delivering, Distributing, Holding, or Offering For Sale a Food Product for Human Consumption That Contains Certain Substances, and For Other Purposes.”
Here are the substances mentioned in the bill:
- potassium bromate, commonly used to help strengthen broad doughs and enhance the texture of baked goods
- propylparaben, commonly used as a preservative that helps extend the shelf life of packaged foods by preventing mold and bacteria growth
- erythrosine, also known as Red No. 3, commonly used to give foods such as candies, cereals and sodas a cherry-red color
The Arkansas Legislative Session begins January 13, 2025.
