Utah is stepping into national leadership on health reform, and it’s doing it the Utah way: with state-led solutions that promote informed choice, parental rights, and local values.
In this episode of House Rules, Speaker Mike Schultz sits down with Reps. Stephanie Gricius and Kristen Chevrier to discuss their legislative efforts aligned with the “Make America Healthy Again” or MAHA agenda. The conversation centers on three landmark bills passed during the 2025 General Session: fluoride reform, synthetic dye bans in schools, and limits on SNAP soda purchases.
“Why would we put a prescription into somebody’s drinking water without their consent?” said Rep. Gricius, who sponsored H.B. 81. “Every single body is different.”
The new law makes Utah the first state in the country to prohibit cities, counties, and water districts from adding fluoride to public water. The bill also allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements without requiring a doctor’s visit, making fluoride available through individual medical choice rather than mass public dosing.
The issue gained urgency following a 2019 overfeed in Sandy that sent dozens of Utahns to the hospital. Gricius said the bill is also about protecting governments from liability and pushing back on one-size-fits-all federal guidelines, which are currently under legal review.
“If we can get people to understand, we don’t have to mandate everything,” Speaker Schultz added. “Let’s just make sure they understand.”
Utah’s food dye ban is rooted in parental choice
Rep. Kristen Chevrier, who sponsored two MAHA-aligned bills, said her goal is to inform parents and protect children, starting with what schools serve for lunch. H.B. 402 prohibits public schools from serving food with certain synthetic dyes and additives beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
“I think if you give parents the information, they’re going to make good choices,” Chevrier said. “When they find out that their kids have behavioral issues or physical issues that are caused by these things, they’re not going to want them in their food.”
The law targets substances like Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, which have been linked to hyperactivity in children. Utah’s Granite School District already removed synthetic dyes from school meals, and Chevrier said more than 20 other states are now considering similar reforms.
“Why would we continue to serve things to children that are harmful to them?” she asked.
Utah bans soda from SNAP purchases
Chevrier also sponsored H.B. 403, which directs the state to seek a federal waiver to prohibit the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for soda.
“Soda is the biggest expense for SNAP dollars, and it’s also one of the least nutritious things,” she said. “More people purchase soda pop with the SNAP program than any other food.”
Chevrier pointed to health outcomes and cost drivers. Over 70% of SNAP recipients in Utah are also on Medicaid, and children in those households consume 43% more sugary drinks than their peers. She argued that better nutrition leads to better outcomes and lower long-term costs.
On June 10, 2025, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Rollins formally approved Utah’s SNAP waiver under the Make America Healthy Again initiative, authorizing the state to restrict soda purchases using federal nutrition benefits.
“I don’t want people not to have food,” Chevrier said. “I want them to have nutritious food.”
Chevrier acknowledged that reforms like hers can face opposition, especially from national interests. But Utah, she said, isn’t waiting. “Initially what I was told is we can’t do something in Utah because then it’ll create a patchwork,” Chevrier said. “And what I told them was: Utah has to start it.”
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FAQ: MAHA-Aligned Health Reforms in Utah
What does H.B. 81 (Fluoride Amendments) do?
It prohibits cities, counties, and water districts in Utah from adding fluoride to public water systems. It also allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements without requiring a visit to a dentist or pediatrician.
Why is fluoride in water a concern?
Many Utah water systems already contain natural fluoride; however, adding fluoride centrally removes individual medical choice and exposes governments to legal risk. In 2019, an accidental fluoride overfeed in Sandy caused health problems for hundreds of residents.
Is Utah the first state to pass this kind of law?
Yes. Utah is the first in the nation to enact fluoride reform at this scale. The issue has gained national attention as federal guidelines are under review following a 2023 court ruling.
What does H.B. 402 (Food Additives in Schools) do?
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, public schools in Utah will no longer be allowed to serve food containing certain synthetic dyes and additives. The ban applies to items served by the school, not parent-provided food or vending machines.
What ingredients are prohibited?
Additives banned by the bill include potassium bromate, propylparaben, and artificial colorings like Blue No. 1 and 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3 and 40, and Yellow No. 5 and 6.
Why target food dyes in schools?
Synthetic dyes have been linked to hyperactivity and other behavioral concerns in children. Granite School District had already gone dye-free, and more than 20 other states are considering similar legislation.
What does H.B. 403 (SNAP Funds Amendments) do?
The bill directs Utah to request a federal waiver to prevent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to buy soda.
Why soda?
Soda is the single most purchased item with SNAP benefits. Children in SNAP households consume 43% more sugary drinks, and over 70% of SNAP recipients are also on Medicaid—creating long-term health and cost concerns.
Do other programs already have nutrition standards?
Yes. The WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) limits purchases to healthy items and has better dietary outcomes than SNAP. Less than 5% of Utahns are enrolled in SNAP, the lowest rate in the nation.