State legislators across the country are introducing a surge of new bills aimed at advancing the policies promoted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. The movement is gaining traction in several states, with lawmakers citing the administration’s stance as a driving force behind their efforts.

Arizona, Kansas, and Utah are among the states taking legislative action to overhaul nutrition standards in federally funded food assistance programs and school lunch menus. The proposed bills seek to eliminate junk food, including soda and candy, from these programs while also targeting ultra-processed foods, artificial additives, and food dyes.

In Arizona, state Rep. Leo Biasiucci introduced HB 2164, a bill that would ban certain food dyes and additives from school lunches. “It took Bobby to get into the position that he is in now for something to happen,” Biasiucci stated during a press conference earlier this month. “I can’t thank him enough for being the microphone … at the high level, to finally put a spotlight on this.”

The push for stricter food standards reflects Kennedy’s long-standing advocacy for healthier nutrition policies. He has previously voiced support for eliminating artificial ingredients from federally funded meal programs, arguing that they contribute to declining public health. With his appointment as Health and Human Services Secretary, his platform is now influencing state-level policies at an accelerated pace.

As lawmakers press forward with these proposed reforms, the growing legislative movement signals a nationwide shift toward stricter food standards in schools and government-backed nutrition programs. Whether these efforts will gain broad bipartisan support remains to be seen, but the momentum behind Kennedy’s platform continues to reshape the debate on food policy in America.