- California lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation to ban ultra-processed foods from public school meals by 2032.
- Ultra-processed foods are linked to 32 health conditions, including obesity, ADHD, and heart disease.
- The bill builds on California’s previous food safety laws, like banning toxic dyes in school meals.
- Scientists will identify harmful products by 2026, with phased removal starting in 2028.
- Industry groups oppose the bill, while health advocates praise it as a critical step for children’s wellbeing.
In a bold move that transcends typical partisan divides, California lawmakers introduced groundbreaking legislation on March 19 to eliminate ultra-processed foods from public school meals, acknowledging these products “have far more in common with a cigarette than they do a fruit or vegetable.”
The bipartisan bill, Assembly Bill 1264 (AB-1264), would establish the nation’s first statutory definition of ultra-processed foods and create a systematic approach to remove harmful products from school cafeterias by 2032.
Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the bill alongside Republican Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, emphasized that “protecting our kids from harm is, and always should be, a bipartisan issue.” This rare display of cross-party cooperation underscores the growing recognition of food safety as a critical public health concern that supersedes political differences.
Full article: California takes bold step to ban harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals
