LOS ANGELES — California will become the first state in the nation to phase out ultraprocessed foods from school meals under a new law signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The landmark legislation aims to eliminate foods deemed most harmful to children’s health over the next decade.
A Nation-Leading Effort to Redefine School Nutrition
The law prohibits public schools from serving what it calls “ultraprocessed foods of concern” in breakfast or lunch programs.
It directs the California Department of Public Health to determine, by June 2028, which foods meet that definition based on scientific evidence linking them to adverse health outcomes. Schools will begin phasing out those items by 2029, with full implementation required by 2035.
State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the bill, said the measure reflects growing parental awareness about the connection between food, mental health, and well-being. “Parents — whether Democrat or Republican — want the same thing,” he said. “We want to feed our kids real, healthy food that supports both body and mind.”
What Counts as Ultraprocessed
The new policy establishes California’s own definition of “ultraprocessed food,” a term generally used for products made mostly from industrial ingredients and additives rather than whole foods.
Under the law, any food or beverage containing one or more additives — such as stabilizers, thickeners, colorings, or nonnutritive sweeteners — plus high levels of saturated fat, sodium, or added sugar, qualifies as ultraprocessed.
A smaller subset of these items, labeled “ultraprocessed foods of concern,” will face the eventual ban. The health department will evaluate which products belong in that category by considering their addictive potential, scientific evidence of health risks, and whether they’re already restricted or banned in other states or countries.
Why It Matters
Children and adolescents in the U.S. currently get nearly 62% of their daily calories from ultraprocessed foods, according to federal nutrition data. These products have been linked to higher risks of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes.
Newsom signed the legislation at Belvedere Middle School in Los Angeles, calling it “a movement that should unite all of us.” The measure passed in September with bipartisan support, reflecting rare agreement on an issue that crosses political and generational lines.
Cost Concerns and Real-World Results
Gabriel said cost concerns proved unfounded in school districts that have already started reducing processed foods. “Not only does it not cost them more to serve kids real, healthy food — they were actually saving money,” he said.
The law builds on California’s broader nutrition reforms. In recent years, the state has banned artificial food dyes in school meals and prohibited several chemical additives linked to health risks. In January, Newsom also issued an executive order directing state agencies to crack down on ultraprocessed foods and dyes statewide.
A Growing National Trend
California’s move comes amid renewed national attention to the quality of school meals. Since taking office, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has urged states to adopt measures limiting ultraprocessed foods and synthetic dyes in school cafeterias.
Other states are following suit. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a law in March banning seven artificial dyes from school meals, crediting Kennedy’s influence. In August, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation prohibiting certain additives in free or reduced-price meals — with Kennedy present at the signing ceremony.
California’s Independent Path
Gabriel emphasized that California’s efforts predate any national movement. “We’ve been doing this work to protect kids’ health since before anyone ever heard of them,” he said.
At the signing event, Newsom echoed that sentiment, referencing last year’s controversy over California’s ban on certain candy additives, which critics dubbed the “Skittles ban.” “No one understood it when we started,” he said. “Now other states — even conservative ones — are racing to follow our lead. And that’s a good thing.”
Looking Ahead
The new law marks a major shift in school nutrition policy and could influence national standards in the years ahead. Public health experts say its success will depend on how the state defines “ultraprocessed foods of concern” — and whether school districts receive the funding and support needed to make the transition.
For now, California is setting a powerful precedent. “This isn’t just about what’s on the lunch tray,” Gabriel said. “It’s about giving every child in California a fair shot at a healthy future.”
