Daijiworld Media Network – Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Oct 9: California has taken a pioneering step in child nutrition by becoming the first U.S. state to phase out certain ultraprocessed foods from public school meals. Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday prohibiting schools from serving what are described as “ultraprocessed foods of concern” in breakfasts and lunches, with a 10-year timeline for full implementation.

The law defines ultraprocessed foods as items with additives such as stabilizers, thickeners, colorings, or nonnutritive sweeteners, combined with high levels of saturated fat, sodium, or added sugar. A subset, labeled “ultraprocessed foods of concern,” will be specifically targeted for removal. The state Public Health Department has been tasked with identifying these products by June 2028.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the bill, highlighted the connection between nutrition, mental health, and emotional well-being, noting bipartisan parental support for healthier school meals. Governor Newsom emphasized that the initiative “should unite all of us, regardless of political stripes” during the signing ceremony at Belvedere Middle School in Los Angeles.

The law mandates that schools begin phasing out ultraprocessed foods by 2029 and complete the transition by 2035. Nationwide, children derive nearly 62% of their calories from ultraprocessed foods, which have been linked to heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. California’s move sets a precedent for prioritizing the health and well-being of students through stricter nutritional standards.