California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law that will make it possible for food companies to label their products with a “non-ultra-processed certified” seal.
The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, and received bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate.
“While Washington D.C. is paralyzed by inaction, Republicans and Democrats in California are joining forces to empower consumers to avoid harmful ultra-processed foods,” said Gabriel.
“Like the USDA Organic label, this new seal will provide consumers with clear, trustworthy information and make it easier for them to locate healthier foods that are free from harmful additives. Parents shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in chemistry to understand what they’re feeding their kids.
“California began this movement three years ago by banning the most dangerous food additives, and with Gov. Newsom’s continued leadership we are taking another big step forward today.”
The new law builds on a 2025 law, also authored by Gabriel, which created the first U.S. legal definition of UPF and banned it from public schools.
The California Department of Public Health will oversee certification of products that meet the state’s non-UPF standard, approving and accrediting third-party certifiers to conduct product certifications. The products must be recertified at least every three years. The law directs the department to accredit these third-party certifiers no later than June 1, 2029.
Only products that meet these requirements will be allowed to display the seal. A food will not qualify for the label if it contains substances or additives, including dyes, flavor enhancers, non-sugar sweeteners or processing aids, used to manipulate the taste or quality of foods.
Several consumer groups applauded the new law, including the Environmental Working Group.
“Today California raised the bar for what we consider healthy food,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG senior vice president for California. “Consumers deserve labels they can trust, and with Gov. Newsom’s signature, families now have a simple way to tell which foods are closer to what comes from a kitchen rather than a factory.”
The law includes the following oversight and transparency measures:
- Certification agents must register with the state
- The state can audit certification records at any time
- The state must maintain a public, online list of certified products
- Misuse of the label will be illegal and subject to enforcement
In addition to creating the label, the law requires large food retailers to display certified products so consumers can easily identify them, for instance, through special signage or physical separation within the store. This requirement applies to grocery stores that sell more than 25 individual non-UPF-certified products and brings in more than $10 million in annual sales.
Research has shown that UPF make up more than two-thirds of children’s diets and more than half of adult diets.
Scientific research has linked diets high in UPF to serious health harms, including cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders and mental health issues.
