The legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, aims to define and restrict ultra-processed foods in school settings. Governor Newsom announced the plan Wednesday as part of a broader, decade-long public health effort to improve nutrition and reduce chronic illness across the state.
“One of the things that’s unfortunate is that while some are talking about making America healthy again, they’re also pushing the most significant rollbacks of health care,” Newsom said at the bill signing. “We need a strategy that looks at the environment, the air we breathe, the water we drink — and yes, the food we eat.”
What the Law Will Do
The law mandates the California Department of Public Health to formally define what constitutes an “ultra-processed food of concern” by mid-2038. In the meantime, school districts across the state, including in Kern County, will begin implementing stricter nutritional standards.
Key deadlines under the law:
- By July 2029: Schools must begin phasing out ultra-processed foods.
- By 2032: Vendors will be prohibited from supplying ultra-processed foods to schools.
- By July 2035: Ultra-processed foods will be fully banned from school breakfast and lunch programs.
Ultra-processed foods often include sugary snacks, packaged meals, artificially flavored items, and foods with excessive preservatives and additives — all of which have been linked to poor health outcomes, especially in children.
Local Support and the Blue Zones Movement
Charmene Vega, a local nutritionist and advocate for clean eating, fully supports the new legislation…