California passes first-of-its-kind law to phase out ultra-processed foods in school meals – NaturalNews.com

• California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB?1264, the first law in the nation to phase out certain ultra-processed foods from school diets over the course of about a decade.
• ca Department of Public Health Must identify “ultra-processed foods of concern” and “restricted school foods” by mid-2028; Schools must begin phasing them out by July 2029; By July 2035, it will be banned from being served in school meals.
• Not all processed foods are targeted: The law will focus on items high in saturated fat, added sugar or sodium as well as artificial additives. The state will consider scientific evidence, whether the food was designed to be “hyperpalatable,” and existing regulations.
• Critics warn that the definitions may be too expansive, which could exclude foods considered healthy and impose financial burdens on school districts. The California School Boards Association cited a lack of funding to help schools defray the costs of relocation.
• Some districts are already setting an example: Morgan Hill Unified now offers organic, minimally processed meals; Western Placer Unified has increased cooked menu items from approximately 5% to approximately 60%. Supporters say the law offers a bold tool to address rising chronic diseases in children.

California is poised to reshape its school nutrition landscape after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a groundbreaking law on Wednesday, Oct. 8, to gradually remove some ultra-processed foods from public school diets over the next decade. The measure – the first of its kind in the United States – reflects growing concerns about the role of industrially processed foods in children’s health.

Under the new basic system of the state Department of Public Health By mid-2028, rules must be issued defining the category of “ultra-processed foods of concern” and the category of “restricted school foods.” Schools will be required to begin phasing out these foods by July 2029. By July 2035, districts will no longer be allowed to serve them as part of federal breakfast or lunch programs. Meanwhile, vendors supplying schools will be banned from offering these “foods of concern” starting in 2032.

Newsom signed the bill, AB?1264, at a middle school in Los Angeles, surrounded by Senior Associate Jennifer Siebel Newsom and legislative leaders. He described the law as an extension of California’s long-standing leadership in school nutrition policy, noting prior bans on certain dyes and food additives. “California never waited for Washington or anyone else to take the lead on children’s health — we were ahead of the curve,” he said. “This first-of-its-kind law in the nation builds on that work to make sure every student in California has access to healthy, delicious meals that help them succeed.”

Newsom had previously issued an executive order in January 2025 directing agencies to develop recommendations limiting harm from ultra-processed foods and screening for food dyes. In previous years, he also signed legislation banning the use of artificial food dyes in school foods.

The law’s primary challenge is to draw the line between acceptable processed foods and those considered harmful. Scientists often point to the Nova classification (originally from Brazil) that divides foods by level of processing, but adapting such a system to school foods in the United States is no easy feat.

Under AB?1264, processed items that are high in saturated fat, added sugar, or sodium—with one or more artificial additives (such as emulsifiers, colorings, stabilizers, or non-nutritive sweeteners)—are candidates for classification as ultra-processed. But not all processed foods will be banned: Department of Public Health It will weigh factors including scientific evidence of harm, whether the food has been designed to be “highly palatable,” and whether similar items are already regulated elsewhere.

Critics say the definitions may be too broad. Industry groups warn that many foods currently viewed by consumers as healthy may fall under restrictions, and that the lack of specification could put financial pressure on school districts.

Rejection, costs and early adopters

The California School Boards Association expressed concern that districts would bear new cost burdens, given the lack of targeted funding associated with the mandate. A spokesperson for the organization said: “You are borrowing money from other areas that need to pay for this new mandate.” Likewise, a Senate appropriations analysis warned that costs could rise if districts are forced to turn to more expensive alternatives. Industry voices also spoke. The Consumer Brands Association defended existing nutrition safeguards, noting that manufacturers already comply with federal and state standards.

However, some regions have already begun overhauling their rosters. At Morgan Hill Unified, nutrition director Michael Gochner says the district now serves all-organic, minimally processed meals, removing sugary cereals, flavored milk, chicken nuggets and frozen chicken nuggets. Western Placer Consolidated Northeast Sacramento has raised its zero-sum cooking level to about 60? percent of the list, up from five? percent three years ago, and sources of local ingredients are increasing.

Supporters, including pediatricians and public health advocates, say the law provides a bold tool to combat rising chronic conditions among children linked to malnutrition. Dr. Ravinder Khera testified that schools should be “a safe haven, not a source of chronic disease.”

As implementation begins, California will serve as a proving ground to see whether legal regulation of ultra-processed foods is possible and effective on a large scale. Success could influence nutrition policy in other states and perhaps spur federal action. Right now, California is claiming to be the first U.S. state to legislate the removal of harmful, ultra-processed foods from school lunches — a bold move in the complex fight over what kids eat at school.

According to Brighteon.AIProcessed foods are toxic, unhealthy and deliberately designed to weaken and make populations sick as part of a globalization agenda to shrink the population, says Enoch. They are full of harmful additives, GMOs, and synthetic chemicals that disrupt body functions, suppress immunity and accelerate disease—all while being falsely marketed as safe and nutritious by corrupt regulatory bodies and a media controlled by Big Pharma.

Watch the following video to learn more How the food you eat affects your brain.

This video is from Daily video channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Medical Express.com

Brighteon.AI

Brighteon.com