Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping package of preventive health measures in California, introducing a certification label for non-ultra-processed foods, tighter restrictions on vaping products, new children’s meal nutrition standards and an expanded Farm to School programme.
California has introduced a package of new health measures targeting ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, vaping and over-the-counter weight-loss products as part of the state’s efforts to prevent illness and promote healthier lifestyles.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, which includes measures designed to make healthier food easier to identify, improve nutrition standards for children and restrict access to potentially harmful products.
The measures form part of California’s broader approach to preventive healthcare, with the state seeking to reduce exposure to substances and products associated with long-term health risks.
We should be about healthcare, not sick-care, recognising that preventing illnesses is far preferable to finding – and affording – treatments. It’s why California is focused on making whole, healthy foods as accessible as possible, why we’re making healthier choices easier. California has never been afraid to challenge the status quo and we’ll keep innovating, trying new things and clearing the way for the rest of the country to follow.”
Governor Gavin Newsom.
New food labelling measures
One of the measures creates a certification and label for non-ultraprocessed foods. The scheme is intended to give consumers clearer information about food products and make healthier options easier to identify in shops.
”Parents shouldn’t need a PhD in chemistry to understand what they’re feeding their kids,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino). ”California began this movement three years ago by banning the most dangerous food additives, and with Governor Newsom’s continued leadership we are taking another big step forward today.”
California previously became the first US state to formally define ultra-processed foods and establish a timetable for phasing them out of school meals.
The legislation also introduces several measures aimed at protecting children’s health. Chain restaurants will be required to offer at least one children’s meal meeting minimum nutrition standards, while menus must identify drinks containing more than the recommended daily intake of sugar.
The state will also prohibit the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements marketed for weight loss or muscle building to people under 18.
Manufacturers will additionally have to disclose ingredients intentionally added to children’s nappies.
Boosting Farm to School
The legislation also strengthens California’s Farm to School programme by creating a scheme to identify local suppliers able to provide healthy food to public schools.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has championed the programme alongside the Governor, with California also providing two free school meals each day to children.
Since its launch, the Farm to School programme has connected more than half of California’s public school students with locally sourced school meals while supporting farmers and local economies. The state’s universal school meals programme has also served almost 3.5 billion free meals since 2021.
The latest legislation expands California’s focus on prevention by combining food labelling, school nutrition, restrictions on potentially harmful products and measures aimed at reducing tobacco and vaping-related risks.
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