In this image from video, a student eats a meatball sub sandwich during lunch in Parkersburg, W.Va., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)

When school starts in West Virginia this month, 240,000 students in districts large and small will notice something missing from their cafeteria trays.

Gone will be red Jell-O fruit cups, yogurt topped with brightly hued sprinkles and older versions of Cool Ranch Doritos — all foods made with synthetic dyes.

In their place will be foods that contain colors made only from natural sources — such as vegetables, spices and seeds — after West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a sweeping new law in March banning seven artificial dyes from school meals.

Other states have enacted similar laws that would strip artificial dyes fro

See Full Page