STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
11087
IN ASSEMBLY
April 24, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JACKSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring instruction
on nutrition in schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "nutrition
2 education act".
3 § 2. Legislative purposes and findings. The purpose of this Act is to
4 ensure K-12 students receive science-based education on nutrition, phys-
5 ical activity, and preventive health in the classroom. This will provide
6 students with the knowledge to make informed choices about diet and
7 exercise, understand the long-term effects of poor nutrition and inac-
8 tivity, and develop lifelong habits that promote personal and public
9 wellness.
10 The Legislature hereby finds as follows:
11 a. One in three American children are overweight or obese, leading to
12 an increased risk of chronic illness before adulthood.
13 b. Chronic diseases consume a dominant share of United States health
14 spending. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and
15 Prevention (CDC), 90% of the $4.9 trillion annual health expenditure is
16 for people with chronic and mental health conditions.
17 c. Research links ultra processed foods to higher risks of obesity,
18 cancer, and depression. 70% of the average U.S. school lunch is ultra
19 processed.
20 § 3. The education law is amended by adding a new section 804-e to
21 read as follows:
22 § 804-e. Nutrition education. 1. As used in this section, the follow-
23 ing terms shall have the following meanings:
24 (a) "Nutrition-related chronic diseases" means diseases that are long-
25 term health conditions resulting from poor diet and an absence of regu-
26 lar physical exercise.
27 (b) "Ultraprocessed foods of concern" means any food or beverage that
28 contains high amounts of saturated fat, sodium, added sugar, preserva-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15430-01-6
A. 11087 2
1 tives, or artificial ingredients, subject to further definition as
2 enacted by the department of health by its rulemaking authority herein
3 authorized.
4 (c) "Science based" means based on credible, systematic evidence
5 resulting from research, testing, and data drawn from peer-reviewed
6 studies, expert consensus, and measurable outcomes.
7 (d) "Nutrition education" means courses that educate students with
8 scientific knowledge about diet, exercise, and nutrition while develop-
9 ing proficiency in meal planning, label reading, and the importance of
10 nutrient dense foods in their diet.
11 (e) "Nutrient dense food" means foods that are high in vitamins,
12 minerals, fiber, and protein with no added sugars or saturated fats.
13 2. All schools shall include instruction on nutrition in all grades.
14 Such instruction shall include, but not be limited to:
15 (a) The role of nutrition in metabolism and cellular function.
16 (b) The role of nutrition and exercise in preventing chronic diseases,
17 including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain
18 cancers.
19 (c) The biological mechanisms and impacts of ultraprocessed food of
20 concern related to diet.
21 (d) The role of nutrition and exercise in disease prevention, manage-
22 ment, and recovery.
23 § 4. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
24 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
25 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
26 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
27 to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
