Food Chemical Bans · Tennessee
Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction
HB 134 - pending in Tennessee.
- Pending
- Status
- 8
- States with food chemical bans laws
- 31/100
- Tennessee strictness
The bottom line
Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction is a pending bill in Tennessee, part of a still-emerging food chemical bans landscape.
- Pending
- current status
- 8
- states have food chemical bans laws
- 8/11
- food chemical bans laws enacted nationally
- 31/100
- Tennessee strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Tennessee legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction
Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction (HB 134) is a pending bill in Tennessee under the Food Chemical Bans category. It is moving through the legislative process. Tennessee currently reports 3 tracked regulations with 2 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 31/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 8 food chemical bans statutes have been enacted and 3 additional bills remain pending - 8 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Tennessee within a still-emerging food chemical bans landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in HB 134 itself.
Applicability under Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction: Tennessee public schools. Penalty exposure is documented as: TBD. Notable exemptions: TBD..
Summary
Proposed ban on Red 40 and other dyes from school food. Passed House, pending Senate.
Key Requirements
Would ban Red 40 and synthetic dyes from school food.
Penalties
TBD.
Applicability
Tennessee public schools.
Exemptions
TBD.
How Tennessee compares on food chemical bans
8 states regulate food chemical bans - Tennessee ranks #8 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Texas | 69 |
| 3 | Illinois | 62 |
| 4 | New York | 62 |
| 5 | Delaware | 59 |
| 6 | Virginia | 59 |
| 7 | Utah | 55 |
| 8 | Tennessee (this state) | 31 |
| 9 | Arizona | 28 |
| 10 | Louisiana | 28 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have food chemical bans regulations?
As of the last verification, 8 states have enacted food chemical bans regulations, with 3 additional bills pending across other states. Tennessee is among the states that is considering such legislation. Browse all food chemical bans regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction introduced?
Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction is currently pending in Tennessee. It was introduced as HB 134. Check back for updates on its progress through the legislative process.
What are the penalties for violating Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction?
TBD. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction apply to small businesses?
Tennessee public schools. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Tennessee compare to other states on food chemical bans?
Tennessee has a regulatory strictness score of 31/100, based on 2 enacted regulations out of 3 tracked. Nationally, 8 states have enacted food chemical bans laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction?
The official text of Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction (HB 134) is available from the Tennessee legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Tennessee Regulations
The bottom line
This bill is still moving - here's what matters for food chemical bans compliance.
- Tennessee School Food Dye Restriction is pending in Tennessee. Official source
- 8 states now regulate food chemical bans; Tennessee ranks #8 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Tennessee tracks across all five policy areas. Tennessee profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Tennessee source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.