DENVER (AP) -- The nation's leanest state is taking its time as it considers a proposal aimed at getting junk food out of schools.

A Colorado House committee was expected to discuss a bill that could become the nation's toughest regulation meant to keep trans fat away from students, but lawmakers delayed the hearing without explanation.

The bill would forbid any trans fat in school food -- not just what's served in cafeterias. The measure would apply to vending machines, after-school bake sales and popular "a la carte" items on lunch lines such as ice creams or pizza.

The proposal would make it so that any such treats would have to be produced without artery-clogging trans fats.

Legislators on Thursday delayed the hearing until at least next week.

Rick Hughes, director of food and nutrition services for District 11, is excited for the bill. He says that the idea of healthier school lunches is something districts have already been working toward.

The only issue Hughes can see is time. “There needs to be some significant changes made and they don’t happen overnight,” he said.

If approved, school meals would be required to change by September. "Making the financial adjustment is just a balancing act. Instead of buying high processed foods that contain additives, we’d make everything from scratch," Hughes said. "It’s really just a cost transfer."