Health Care & Wellness, Financial Services & Commerce
State Food Additive Legislation Surged Across 38 States in 2025 (Plus Other Food Policy Trends We Saw Last Year)
January 14, 2026 | Katherine Tschopp
State food additive legislation continued to expand in 2025, with over 140 bills introduced across 38 states, focusing on restricting the “standard 11” additives, especially in school settings. MAHA food policy states are increasingly enacting school food additive bans, with West Virginia implementing the first law restricting certain additives in both retail and school environments. The lack of a uniform ultra-processed foods definition has led several states, including Arizona and California, to establish their own criteria, often centered on the presence of specific additives. SNAP food restriction waivers gained momentum, as more states received USDA approval to limit the purchase of non-nutritive foods and beverages, such as soft drinks, with SNAP benefits. Looking ahead to 2026, state food additive legislation and SNAP nutrition policies are expected to remain key priorities, with further developments anticipated in the definition of ultra-processed foods and the role of state-level MAHA commissions.
